AVRR Newsletter 2016 Assisted Voluntary Returns and Reintegration Programmes International Organization for Migration Office in Greece What is AVRR What is AVR Assisted Voluntary Return includes the administrative, logistical and financial support provided to migrants unable or unwilling to remain in the host country and wish to return voluntarily to their countries of origin in a dignified manner. Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration, an essential part of return migration, is the reinclusion or reincorporation of a person into a group or process, for example of a migrant into the society of his or her country of origin. This process enables returnees to participate again in the social, cultural, economic and political life of their country of origin. Eligible migrants: Third country nationals with no legal stay or who do not wish to remain in the country anymore, rejected asylum seekers, withdrawn asylum seekers. Special care and priority is provided to vulnerable groups. I want to return to my country of origin My asylum application is rejected I am a labou r migrant I am a child travelling alone I don't want to stay in Greece I want to return to my c ountry but I lack of means to do so I wan t to withd raw m y asylu m appli catio n I want to establish a small business I miss my family I am a single parent I have healthrelated needs I belong to a vulnerable group I need counselling and information about my country I need help to book my flight home I am a stranded migrant I am ready for a new beginning in my country GREECE AVRR 2016: 6.153 third country nationals returned with safety and dignity to their home country Since 2010, IOM Greece has been playing a crucial role in AVRR s world map. More than 35.000 individuals have safely returned back home with the contribution of IOM Greece, while over 3.500 migrants have successfully implemented personalized reintegration plans in terms of sustainability for themselves and their families. During the reporting period, 6.153 third country nationals returned voluntarily to their home country, while 367 returnees were supported on reintegration measures. The current project aims to assist 16.200 third country nationals to return to their countries of origin with safety and dignity and support 5.100 returnees with reintegration measures. Funding During 2016, IOM Greece received funds from the AMIF Emergency Funds and implemented AVR projects from January to May 2016. In addition, in May 2016 the AVRR project funded by the UKHO was completed. In June 2016 and after 11 months of gap from the completion of the previous European financial period, IOM Greece started implementing the current AVRR project under the AMIF National Programme.
AVRR is implemented through 3 phases Pre-departure Thinking about returning home? AVRR provisions For migrants who seek or need to return home but lack the means to do so, AVRR is often the only solution to their immediate plight. individual return counseling support with the issuance of travel documents assistance for the completion of procedures with the authorities travel arrangements reintegration counseling to eligible migrants Transportation Travel IOM Greece offers assistance at the airport the day of departure and delivery of one time cash grant per beneficiary. Special arrangements are made for vulnerable groups in case of need. Post-arrival Reception Assistance reception upon arrival by IOM Offices in country of return. Reintegration Support through financial in-kind assistance including in combination or separately, starting up a small business in order to become self -sufficient, having access to social networks and psychosocial health as well as health-related support. Build a new life
Voluntary Return and Reintegration in Figures 1,257 individuals returned voluntarily to Afghanistan during 2016. Second in the row is Morocco with 1,081 returnees and then follows Iraq with 1,080 returns. During the reporting period, 8,841 third country nationals were provided with AVRR information on the Greek Islands. In 2016, 367 returnees were benefited from reintegration assistance. Pakistani nationals consisted the vast majority of 202 beneficiaries. Georgia followed with 95 beneficiaries while 28 Iraqis and Afghans implemented successfully their reintegration plans. More than half of the 294 vulnerable cases returned safely to Iraq, Afghanistan and Georgia.
Voices of returnees Shoes making and selling business in Afghanistan One year ago Mr. Abdul Qayoom Noori decided to live abroad with his family and begin a new life. He was irregularly transferred to Greece, although his dream was to reach Germany or Sweden. During his six month staying in Greece he faced multiple financial and family issues. Therefore, he decided to return voluntarily to his home country. IOM Greece provided him advice and consultation so as to start a small business of his choice. Due to his exceptional qualifications as a shoe maker, he decided to run a shoes making and selling business in Afghanistan. Therefore, IOM Greece along with the vital support of IOM Afghanistan,assisted the beneficiary to reintegrate smoothly in his community. Mr. Abdul Qayoom managed to improve his business project and secure a good income which can cover his living expenses. IOM has given me a great support and gave me the opportunity to build a new life in my hometown. Reintegration assistance foresees, exclusively or in combination if necessary, the following types: Small business set-up Job placement Education / Vocational Training Temporary Accommodation / Material assistance Medical assistance Support services (e.g. legal assistance, psychological/social support) Portrait of a returnee to Pakistan Jameel M, 35 years old I come from Kashmir, Pakistan. Bombs were exploding next to us on a daily basis. In July 2007 I left with a backpack filled in with a few clothes, a bottle of water and some food, my only belongings for my new life in Europe. Of the 40-50 people of my group, the majority were from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. In Iran, we had to cross the mountains so that we wouldn t be tracked down by the police. We hid during the day and walked all night. We huddled together to get warm. You could die of cold Smugglers didn t give us food on a daily basis, and if I didn t have my own I wouldn t have survived. It took us 15 days to walk from Pakistan to Iran. It was very painful and discouraging. All of us stayed together in a house and then we got on a truck which took us to Greece 15 days later. My first year in Greece was really difficult, I had no friends or family. I craved to return to my wife, who I had abandoned a few months after we got married. I wanted to return, to make a new start, but I couldn t afford to leave Greece. I spent many years working in greenhouses in Crete and took various jobs in Athens. I applied for asylum in 2012 but it was rejected in 2016 and now I want go back to my country. I am glad that I am finally returning to Pakistan. With the assistance of the International Organization for Migration I will buy a cow and some goats and I will rebuild my farm. This time, I am going to Pakistan for good, to live with my wife, to grow our family and look after my parents.
AVRR Newsletter International Organization for Migration - Greece The Open Centre for AVRR has accommodated 1.651 third country nationals 2016 Pre-removal center of Amygdaleza Thanks to IOM support the pre removal center of Amygdaleza provides decent accommodation conditions to vulnerable third country nationals, ready to return voluntarily to their country of origin. The Open Centre for migrants registered for assisted voluntary return and reintegration (OCAVRR) is the first open center in Europe. This exemplary Open Centre is established near the center of Athens in order to provide shelter to migrants in Greece who have registered with IOM Greece s AVRR programmes and who have no place to stay until their departure. The beneficiaries are vulnerable migrants, defined for the purpose of the project as pregnant women, single parent families, unaccompanied minors, migrants with medical needs, elderly migrants and migrants who are homeless. Summer 2016: Common Information Campaign Information campaign on the islands IOM Greece carried out an information campaign on the islands of the North Sea in order to discuss and broaden ways of cooperation with local authorities and representatives of civil society. The campaign aims to continue the successful implementation of the program. IOM, in close cooperation with representatives from the European Commission, Reception and Identification Service, UNHCR and EASO, implemented a common information campaign, informing 1.864 third country nationals about AVRR programme. This newsletter and the activities described within were funded 25% by the 100 % by the and 75% by the EUROPEAN UNION Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) EUROPEAN UNION Emergency Assistance of the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) Department for Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration International Organization for Migration Office in Greece