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A record number of asylum seekers return home
Category: uk Dated: 07/03/2006
In February the International Organisation for Migration, IOM, has helped over 500 people return to their countries. The voluntary return scheme has been so productive that the IOM registered 100 returns in one day, which is a first time occurrence.


Voluntary returns from the UK are on the increase since the International Organisation for Migration, IOM, introduced a new reintegration programme on 1st January 2006. This allows people to return to their countries and receive help with their travel and finances.

IOM assisted with 365 asylum seekers, to voluntarily returning home in January, and 522 asylum seekers returning in February. This figure for February constitutes a record month, not only for the total of people returned throughout the month, but also for 100 returns being made in one day.

The organisation has a number of voluntary programmes running at the moment to help refuges return to their countries; however the Reintegration Assistance package has been very productive to assisting asylum seekers return home.

The package is available to asylum seekers at any stage of the asylum process (either applying for asylum, been refused asylum or appealing against a refusal), however this package is not available to illegal migrants.

IOM have been assisting with the return of asylum seekers through this package since 1999, where the number of returnees was 1,465. The organisation has since seen numbers increase miraculously over the past years with 2005 ending with 3,611 asylum seekers being returned voluntarily.

Zimbabwe, Angola, Iraq, Afghanistan, Albania, Sri Lanka, Iran, Kosovo, Brazil, Pakistan, and China have had the greatest number of returnees this year.

According to the IOM, the numbers are likely to increase as there are more inquires each day, and more have registered to receive help.

Jan de Wilde, Chief of Mission for IOM in the UK feels that the programme allows people to live ‘productive’ lives.

He said: “Increased reintegration assistance has clearly attracted more people to return home, and given them a much better chance to establish productive lives in their own countries.”

The work of IOM?

IOM is an independent organisation who works through different refuge agencies to ensure asylum seeker and illegal immigrants can get home through programmes which are financed by the Home Office and the EU.

Marek Effendowicz of IOM told Black Britain about the International Organisation for Migration, and wants people to understand that there are other options available.

He said: “The IOM is similar to the UN; however it works completely independent of United Nations. IOM has help about 12 million migrants since it was set up over 50 years ago, in the belief that if migration is orderly, dignified and voluntary, it will benefit for society and individuals as a whole.

“If people have been in the asylum system for any amount of time, and they are applying or have been refused, packages are available for them. What IOM can do is help them obtain travel documents, help them with domestic transportation in this country, and help them in paying for flights.

He continued: “We can then offer reintegration assistance if they have been a part if the asylum seeking process. They can receive £3000 worth of assistance to pay the fees at college, schools, vocational training or indeed to help with business stop out.

The programme is co-funding by the UK government and the European refugee fund. On the 1st of January, the government launched a pilot version of the programme. Anyone who is legible for the normal reintegration assistance under the scheme could receive £3000 per family member.

Effendowicz said: “Under the scheme, if asylum seekers apply before 31 May 06 and travel before 30 June 2006, they will receive £3000 per person. For example, if a family of five were seeking help to return home, their total fees could be £15,000.

“We can help illegal migrants-people who have been trafficked, smuggled or visa over stayers- we help them exactly the same way with attaining travel documents, domestic transportation and flights.

“However, at the moment there is no fund for reintegration assistance for illegal immigrants. It is still very beneficial for people find that they are trapped, have poor or non-existent pay, and they want to go home and can’t think how to do it, we can still help them in that situation."

You can apply for asylum assistance in different ways. Call 0800 783 2332 to obtain more information about voluntary return.

Or you can attend the ‘walk-in centre London’, and other destinations where no appointments is needed, and you do not have to give your name to seek advice.