Upon the request of governments, IOM provides the following resettlement
services: ... conducted courses for over 350,000 refugees at more than 60
locaons.
A Somali-Bantu family arrives in Phoenix, USA
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© Christophe Calais 2003
IOM Resettlement Services Purpose and Partnership
For more than 60 years, IOM has played a vital role in refugee rese lement around the world. As part of its global contribu on to migra on management, IOM fosters refugee integra on through comprehensive rese lement services. Ar cle 1 of the IOM Cons tu on mandates the Organiza on to “… concern itself with the organized transfer of refugees, displaced persons and other individuals in need of interna onal migra on services for whom arrangements may be made between the Organiza on and the States concerned, including those States undertaking to receive them.” Rese lement is a some mes unrecognized yet compelling instrument and symbol of interna onal solidarity and burden sharing to find a durable solu on for refugees who are unable to return to their country of origin for fear of con nued persecu on and do not have the op on to stay in their country of asylum. IOM works closely with governments, the United Na ons High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), non‐government organiza ons and other partners. The process begins with UNHCR. UNHCR iden fies, interviews and submits refugee cases to countries for rese lement considera on; subsequently, under coopera ve agreements with those same countries, IOM rese lement services — Case processing, Health Assessments, Pre‐Departure Orienta on and Movement — take place. Upon arrival, rese lement countries provide refugees with legal and physical protec on, including access to civil, poli cal, economic, social and cultural rights similar to those enjoyed by na onals. Most refugees eventually become naturalized ci zens of their country of rese lement.
Interna onal Organiza on for Migra on (IOM) • 17 Route des Morillons, CH‐1211, Geneva 19, Switzerland Tel.: +41 22 717 9111 • Fax: +41 22 798 6150 • E‐mail:
[email protected] • Internet: www.iom.int
IOM Resettlement Services
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Refugee Resettlement Founded in 1951 to assist in the rese lement of Europeans displaced in the a ermath of World War II, IOM has provided essen al services in support of refugee rese lement opera ons for over six decades. In the last decade alone, IOM has organized rese lement movements of 892,243 refugees from 186 loca ons around the world.
Rese lement is a humanitarian endeavor, some mes life saving and always life changing. Looking ahead at the evolving rese lement landscape, there will be increasingly more people forced to move who are not protected under the 1951 Refugee Conven on, and finding good durable solu ons will require the collabora ve engagement of many actors across a range of services. IOM is well suited to meet the challenge, and assist governments to help refugees integrate successfully into receiving communi es. Successful rese lement is migra on management at its best, it’s an investment in human capital and an empowerment of people.
Upon the request of governments, IOM provides the following resettlement services: Case Processing
Pre-Departure Orientation/Integration
Health Assessments and Travel Health Assistance
Movement/Travel Operations
Case Processing IOM Case Processing services are designed to 1) help refugee applicants in lodging correct and complete applica ons for refugee status and 2) assist governments by providing selec on authori es with accurate, detailed and objec ve informa on in standard formats in order to streamline the interview and selec on process. IOM caseworkers are trained to conduct thorough non‐adversarial interviews and case assessments to verify the eligibility and iden ty of each refugee applicant, to obtain biographic and demographic informa on required by governments and rese lement agencies and to accurately chronicle each applicant's claim for refugee status. A focus on intensive ini al case prepara on is aimed at reducing the number of mes each case must be reviewed or deferred by selec on authori es pending further informa on.
scheduling refugee appointments, managing case files, distribu ng government decision le ers at the conclusion of interviews and supervising interpreters, reques ng and receiving recep on and placement informa on for all approved cases; referring approved applicants to designated panel or IOM physicians for medical exams; receiving completed medical exams for each case member and no fying relevant government authori es and/or rese lement agencies of health condi ons requiring follow up treatment in receiving countries.
Through the use of its proprietary case management tools, IOM tracks refugee applicants through each stage of the rese lement process, including Health Assessments, Pre‐departure Orienta on and Movement/Travel to ensure that approved refugee cases are ready to travel in the mely manner required by the rese lement countries.
IOM Resettlement Services
Hallmarks of IOM Case Processing services are adherence to standard opera ng procedures, strict confiden ality and data protec on standards, mul ‐ level quality assurance controls at each stage of processing and robust an ‐fraud measures to ensure program integrity.
Case Processing services may include any or all of the following elements: conduc ng in‐depth personal interviews with refugee applicants to elicit complete case informa on and an accurate record of tes mony; gathering all required bio‐data; providing on‐site assistance during selec on missions, including
IOM Case Processing improves the efficiency of country selection missions. © IOM, 2009 (Photo by: Kari Collins).
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IOM employs internationally accepted protocols and practices for detection and treatment of tuberculosis. © IOM, 2009 MNP0076 (Photo by: Kari Collins). post‐test counseling, fitness‐to‐travel assessments and medical escorts, when required. Individuals in need of travel health assistance (medical escort) during transporta on are iden fied at the me of the health assessment to ensure that they travel safely and without undue hardship to themselves or to other travellers, and avoid in‐flight medical emergencies or flight devia ons. Specific provisions to the health assessment protocol (e.g. addi onal diagnos cs, treatment, immuniza ons, referrals) are made upon request of rese lement countries in order to ensure safe travel, to facilitate proper follow‐up of medical cases a er arrival and to facilitate the integra on of refugees into their receiving communi es.
Health Assessments and Travel Health Assistance Health assessments in the context of refugee rese lement cons tute one of IOM’s most established ac vi es. Refugees are a par cularly vulnerable popula on, with health profiles that vary according to the displacement experience, pre‐exis ng health condi ons and epidemiological profiles, among other factors. Health Assessments and Travel Health Assistance ensures that refugees are fit to travel and meet the requirements of the rese lement country.
Tradi onal components of refugee health assessments conducted by IOM’s Migra on Health Division (MHD) include an assessment of condi ons of public health significance, pre‐departure treatment and referrals (including pre‐travel hospital stabiliza on), pre‐ and
Pre-departure Orientation/Integration IOM provides pre‐departure cultural orienta on training courses for refugees accepted for rese lement. Over the past 20 years, IOM has conducted courses for over 350,000 refugees at more than 60 loca ons.
Cultural orienta on prepares refugees by providing prac cal informa on on country of des na on, and assists refugees in se ng realis c goals and developing the skills and a tudes needed to succeed in their new environment. IOM works closely with governments to iden fy the key priority messages and values that are cri cal for refugees’ successful rese lement. Pre‐ departure orienta on is designed to assist refugees to develop realis c expecta ons and to become self‐ sufficient more quickly. Courses by IOM’s mul lingual,
IOM Resettlement Services
Health assessments of refugees admi ed for rese lement to third countries are funded and carried out at the request of rese lement countries such as Australia, Canada, Denmark, New Zealand, Norway, the United Kingdom, the United States and others. Health assessment protocols are based on the legisla on and/or best prac ces of rese lement country governments, and are performed prior to a refugee’s departure for rese lement. Pre‐departure refugee health assessments are intended to ensure that people travel in a safe and dignified manner, are fit to travel, receive appropriate assistance when required, and do not pose a hazard to other travellers or receiving communi es.
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mul ‐ethnic trainers help refugees an cipate integra on challenges and facilitate their transi on into the receiving society. Topics addressed in the orienta on include housing, health, money management, role of se lement service providers, educa on, cultural adapta on, rights and responsibili es, and others. Upon request, IOM conducts needs assessments and produces cultural profiles of new refugee popula ons designed to help service providers be er plan for their arrival.
Language and literacy training equips refugees with basic language and communica on skills in order to facilitate the adjustment process and help refugees become more independent. With knowledge of these func onal and prac cal skills, refugees are able to increase their chances for employment and become produc ve members of the receiving society.
Pre‐embarka on briefings prepare refugees for their flight, including what to expect at the airport, in‐flight, while in transit, and upon arrival in country of des na on. The briefings also address safety, customs and immigra on formali es, and how to travel with children. IOM offers these briefings as close to departure as possible in order to ease the process and help first‐ me travellers feel less anxious and more prepared for the journey.
Movement/Travel Operations Migra on implies movement. Arranging the safe and orderly movements of refugees and other vulnerable persons is the cornerstone of IOM’s Cons tu onal mandate to “concern itself with the organized transfer of refugees, displaced persons and other individuals in need of interna onal migra on services for whom arrangements may be made between the Organiza on and the States concerned, including those States undertaking to receive them.”
IOM’s worldwide network of experienced movement opera ons staff, supported by global agreements with major airlines (offering preferen al fares and priority service to IOM passengers) along with proprietary movement management applica ons and opera ons protocols, all serve to ensure that refugees are transported smoothly from remote, o en far‐flung loca ons to their final rese lement des na ons.
Movement services for refugees travelling under IOM auspices may include any or all of the following; Obtaining travel documents: exit permits, transit/
entry visas, passports, etc.
Pre‐embarka on orienta on: flight schedules,
airline regula ons, customs requirements, assistance in transit and upon arrival, etc.
IOM Resettlement Services
Pre-departure Orientation equips refugees with the tools required for successful integration. © IOM, 2009 - MNP0079 (Photo by: Kari Collins).
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In remote locations the journey often begins with a charter flight. Kibondo, western Tanzania. © IOM, 2007 (Photo by: Pindie Stephen).
Transporta on to and passenger handling at
embarka on airports: assisted check‐in, help with customs and immigra on formali es, etc.
Arrangement of interna onal and domes c air
ckets: reduced fares, preferen al baggage allowances, selected rou ngs, etc.
Provision of opera onal/medical escorts: help for
passengers with special needs, monitoring and a ending to medical requirements en route, liaison with flight staff and other authori es, etc.
Real‐ me informa on management and monitoring of refugee movements and established communica on protocols ensure that passengers under IOM auspices travel safely and that all partners are kept informed of their progress from take‐off to landing.
For over 60 years, moving refugees to begin new lives with dignity and respect in a safe and orderly fashion has been and con nues to be a fundamental purpose and priority of the Organiza on.
needed, direc on to connec ng flights, booking adjustments, etc.
Arrival assistance: meet and assist services on
arrival, no fica on and handover to recep on authori es, etc.
IOM moves most refugees by scheduled commercial air service using its unique nego ated agreements with leading airlines; however, IOM also maintains standby agreements with air charter operators to conduct movement opera ons in remote loca ons or where large numbers of refugees must be moved quickly.
To better assist refugees and governments, IOM strives for excellence across all resettlement service areas, placing emphasis on flexibility, efficiency, and consistent high quality.
IOM Resettlement Services
Assistance in transit: meals and accommoda on as
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10 Best Practices of Pre-departure Orientation/Integration Programmes: 1. Develop curricula and supporting activities with destination country. Key messages should be iden fied in consulta on with receiving countries, and include the cultural, linguis c and socio‐economic challenges that refugees will face.
2. Recognize the transitional continuum: link predeparture and post-arrival activities. Informa on should be shared throughout with those engaged in recep on and integra on.
3. Consider the timing of courses. Schedule courses as close to departure as possible to increase relevancy of the lessons, and maximize refugees’ focus and reten on.
4. Develop trainings that are participatory and learner-centric. Refugees learn best and the lessons are more meaningful when the course is experien al and highly par cipatory. One example is for refugees to teach one another, an approach Palestinian girl at Al-Waleed Refugee Camp, that increases reten on and builds self‐esteem and self‐confidence. western Iraq. © IOM, 2008 (Photo by: Craig Murphy).
5. Address content, skills and attitudes. While accurate informa on about the country of des na on is relevant, it is equally important to build produc ve a tudes for successful adapta on, including pro‐ac vity, self‐sufficiency, and resourcefulness.
6. Train in refugees’ native language. Whenever possible, pre‐departure orienta on courses should be conducted in refugees’ na ve language, ideally by trainers who share refugees’ cultural background. Both of these points are par cularly relevant when working with pre‐literate and or vulnerable refugees.
7. Address psychosocial issues in pre-departure training. Pre‐departure orienta on goes beyond dispensing informa on about receiving countries; it should also address the psychosocial well‐being of par cipants, taking into account the social, anthropological, cultural and the psychological aspects of rese lement. As such, it is vital to develop pre‐departure courses which are holis c and address the concerns of par cipants. Topics include cultural adapta on, culture shock, communica on, family dynamics, gender, and cross‐genera onal issues among others.
IOM Resettlement Services
8. Create a non-threatening learning environment. A welcoming training atmosphere of inclusion– in which all par cipants are shown respect– fosters a greater sense of belonging and encourages risk‐taking and learning. Many refugees have li le or no formal educa on, and therefore it is cri cal that trainers consider both the educa onal and cultural backgrounds of their par cipants in planning lessons.
9. Promote gender equality. It is important to provide an open and secure learning environment in which gender equality is promoted. This sends an important message that the des na on country values the role that both men and women play, and paves the way for future social interac on and learning opportuni es where women’s par cipa on is not only encouraged but expected.
10. Reaffirm the dignity and positive contributions of every refugee. Refugees should be made to feel valued for their rich cultural background and experiences and, conversely, receiving communi es should be made aware of the posi ve contribu ons that refugees offer, including social, economic and cultural contribu ons.
Flow Chart of Refugee Resettlement Activities
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Complete government forms
Logistical support during government selected missions
2 days before departure
© IOM, 2009 - MNP0077 (Photo by: Kari Collins).
After Selection
Cultural orientation course
3 weeks before departure
Language/Literacy training
© IOM, 2009 - MNP0124 (Photo by: Kari Collins).
© IOM, 2009 - MTH0432 (Photo by: Nuttakarn Sumon).
Physical examination Chest x-ray and interpretation Other laboratory examinations Immunizations Treatment for selected conditions
Pre-departure medical screening Immunizations
In-country transportation Transit center accommodations Fitness-to-travel health check Pre-embarkation briefing
Assistance at departure, in-transit, upon arrival Medical escort and other medical travel arrangements
IOM Resettlement Services
Interview refugee cases
Before Selection
This chart is indica ve of the refugee rese lement process, from the point before a case is selected by a rese lement country un l arrival in that country. Not all rese lement cases follow this exact process. For example, some rese lement countries do not include cultural orienta on courses or health assessments. Further, there may be some varia on in the order of ac vi es.
A Day in Movement/Travel Operations
Movement/Travel opera ons are a core element of IOM’s support to rese lement and other humanitarian programs. This map illustrates IOM movements on 11 December 2012 during which 1,707 persons, from 69 na onali es travelled under IOM auspices from 59 points of embarka on to des na ons around the world.
IOM Resettlement Services 8
