With 132 member states, a further 17 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.
