With
125 member states, a further 16 states holding observer status and offices in
over 100 countries, IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly
migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice
to governments and migrants.
IOM works to help ensure the orderly and humane management of
migration, to promote international cooperation on migration issues, to
assist in the search for practical solutions to migration problems and to
provide humanitarian assistance to migrants in need, including refugees and
internally displaced people.
The IOM Constitution recognizes the link between migration and
economic, social and cultural development, as well as to the right of freedom
of movement.
IOM in the Netherlands assists migrants with voluntary return to their
country of origin and sustainable reintegration. IOM also arranges the travel
of invited refugees and family members that have received authorization to be
reunited with their families in the Netherlands. As a third activity, IOM
facilitates qualified migrants who reside in the Netherlands to help with the
development or reconstruction of their country of origin through temporary
return projects.
Migrants can turn to IOM for:
- advice on voluntary return to their country of origin; in various locations in the country;
- support in the event of their voluntary return to their country of origin;
- reintegration support in their country of origin (money and/or other services);
- temporary outsourcing of qualified migrants wanting to contribute to the development of their country of origin;
- travel assistance to migrants coming to the Netherlands for family reunification or as invited refugees;
- advising migrants in aliens' detention about voluntary return to their country of origin;
- organising the journey once a migrant has permission to relocate to a third country;
- travel supervision at Schiphol airport, from transit airports and at airports in the destination country.
Dedicated to vulnerable migrants
Unaccompanied minors and adult migrants who have applied for asylum before
their 18th birthday receive special reintegration support when they decide to
return voluntarily with IOM. Individual assistance is given to migrants with
health problems; they often find themselves in a difficult and uncertain
situation. This is also the case with victims of trafficking wishing to
return to their country of origin and for undocumented migrants without a
fixed address. IOM's native counsellors, originating from main target group's
countries of origin, help these migrants by giving them information about
return as an option for building a better future in their countries of
origin.
IOM and the Dutch private sector
Of the 200 million migrants worldwide, about 90 million are migrant workers
(UN, 2005). Well organized labour migration offers opportunities to
governments, employers, migrants and private companies. IOM's international
network and specific knowledge and experience enables IOM to facilitate
(temporary) labour migration to the Netherlands.
On a global level IOM's activities for the private sector are growing. The
cooperation includes specific labour migration projects but also the
involvement of companies in IOM's emergency relief projects. Companies can
give financial support or donate in other ways.
