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The Human Side of Migration : Returnee Perspectives from Iraq

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  For many migrants, returning home after living abroad can be a difficult process. Needs are vast, and the reintegration process is often full of challenges. For most returnees it means a new start.

  In this album, 16 Iraqis share their migration experiences with us. In doing so, they remind us that behind every face lies a story of expectations, dreams, successes, and hardships, making migration a unique experience. In order to facilitate their return in a safe and dignified manner, IOM has provided the individuals portrayed in this booklet with voluntary return and reintegration assistance.

  Such assistance includes individualized counselling and tailored support for the creation of small businesses, assistance in purchasing necessary materials and equipment, salary subsidies, and followup and monitoring.

  Thanks to this assistance, most returnees manage to improve their lives after some time. Others, however, face further life challenges. Compounded with the general security situation, such challenges can create feelings of regret, and can also produce a desire to re-migrate. Families and relatives usually play an important role in the reintegration process, for they provide substantial social support to individual returnees. The availability of housing, education facilities and health services in local communities of return is also a crucial element for the success of any reintegration activity.

  This booklet was produced by IOM Norway and IOM Iraq under the project "Information, Return and Reintegration of Iraqi Nationals to Iraq (IRRINI)," funded by the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI). IOM will continue to work hand-in-hand with all its counterparts to provide adequate responses to returnees' needs, and to help fulfil their expectations for a better and more stable future.

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