International Organization for Migration (IOM)


The International Office for Migration is an inter-governmental body whose guiding principle is that humane and orderly migration benefits not only the people directly affected but also society as a whole.

It works closely with UNHCR in dealing with uprooted peoples and the two agencies signed a Memorandum of Understanding in May 1997 outlining the areas of co-operation including monitoring and preventing crisis situations, participating in UN emergency contingency planning and developing the capacity to respond to such emergencies.

Other areas of co-operation include assisting internally displaced persons, helping governments to respond to a crisis, and aiding persons whose request for asylum has been rejected.

They help the departures of persons with a well founded fear of persecution but who cannot leave their country and seek protection elsewhere and refugees who want to return to their country of origin by arranging transportation, taking care of travel documents, and at times providing language training and cultural orientation.