Resettlement Assistance
Resettlement is a sometimes unrecognized yet compelling instrument and symbol of international solidarity and burden sharing to find a durable solution for refugees who are unable to return to their country of origin for fear of continued persecution and do not have the option to stay in their country of asylum.
Founded in 1951 to assist in the resettlement of Europeans displaced in the aftermath of World War II, IOM has provided essential services in support of refugee resettlement operations for over six decades. In the last decade alone, between 2004 and 2014, IOM has organized the resettlement movements of 1,024,152 refugees and other vulnerable persons of concern from 186 locations around the world.
IOM works closely with governments, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), non-government organizations and other partners. The process begins with UNHCR. UNHCR identifies, interviews and submits refugee cases to countries for resettlement consideration; subsequently, under cooperative agreements with those same countries, IOM resettlement services — Case processing, Health Assessments, Pre-Departure Orientation and Movement — take place. Upon arrival, resettlement countries provide refugees with legal and physical protection, including access to civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights similar to those enjoyed by nationals. Most refugees eventually become naturalized citizens of their country of resettlement.
IOM’s Vision
For more than 60 years, moving refugees to begin new lives with dignity and respect in a safe and orderly fashion has been and continues to be a fundamental purpose and priority of the Organization.
IOM’s Objectives
As part of its global contribution to migration management, IOM fosters refugee integration through comprehensive resettlement services. Article 1 of the IOM Constitution mandates the Organization to “… concern itself with the organized transfer of refugees, displaced persons and other individuals in need of international migration services for whom arrangements may be made between the Organization and the States concerned, including those States undertaking to receive them.”
IOM’s Approach
Upon the request of governments, IOM provides the following resettlement services:
do not pose a hazard to other travelers or receiving communities.
Pre-Departure Orientation/Integration
Movement/Travel Operations. IOM’s movement and travel operations ensure that refugees are transported smoothly from remote, often far-flung locations to their final resettlement destinations. Movement services for refugees traveling under IOM auspices may include any or all of the following: