Founded 75 years ago in 1951, IOM is the leading inter-governmental organization in the field of migration. With 174 member states and a presence in over 100 countries, IOM is committed to the principle that humane and orderly migration benefits migrants and society.
The Organization works with its partners in the international community to assist in meeting the operational challenges of migration, advance understanding of migration issues, encourage social and economic development through migration and to uphold the well-being and human rights of all migrants.
IOM in the Netherlands
The International Organization for Migration started its activities in the Netherlands in 1991. Our projects include facilitating voluntary return and reintegration, supporting refugees accepted for resettlement and family reunification, services aimed at inclusion and labour and skills mobility.
Voluntary Return and Reintegration
We assist migrants who wish to return voluntarily to their country of origin and support their sustainable reintegration. Assistance consists of information and counselling services, procuring travel documents, arranging safe travel, and providing reintegration support. We are in favour of reintegration assistance based on human dignity and as a major sustainability factor in countries of origin.
Through our network of offices around the world, we can offer individual in-kind reintegration support, such as setting up income-generating activities or financing educational or training programmes. Tailored assistance is provided to specific vulnerable groups, including migrants with health issues, victims of trafficking, unaccompanied minors, families or single parents with underage children, and undocumented migrants.
Coming to the Netherlands
IOM the Netherlands is involved in various movements of migrants to the Netherlands. Firstly, we facilitate the resettlement of selected refugees to the Netherlands, in close cooperation with our offices in countries of departure and partner organizations. Upon request of the Dutch government, we also assist in the safe transfer of other displaced migrants to the Netherlands. Secondly, we assist family members who are entitled to reunite with their families in the Netherlands. In some cases, IOM also assists with travel and logistics, and serves as a contact point for relatives or sponsors in the Netherlands. Furthermore, upon request of the Dutch government, we also support DNA sample collection and facilitate family reunification interviews to verify family ties in countries of origin, which is part of the government’s family reunification procedure.
