Ireland - The IOM mission in Ireland has launched a new website and accompanying booklet which offers insight into the personal stories and experiences of migrants who have opted to return home under IOM’s Voluntary Assisted Return and Reintegration Programme (VARRP).

The website contains the stories of irregular migrants who found themselves in vulnerable situations in Ireland and of asylum seekers who withdrew their application, or had it rejected for a variety of reasons.  All, however, have asked for assistance to leave Ireland, and support to create a stable, sustainable future for themselves in their countries of origin.

“The decision to return is often the result of difficult or unforeseen circumstances,” says Theodora Suter, IOM’s Chief of Mission in Ireland. “The aim of the website is not to present return as the appropriate solution for all migrants but to highlight through individual stories some of the challenges and opportunities of voluntary return and reintegration.”

The narratives from around the world are based on monitoring visits regularly carried out by IOM local offices or IOM partners in the countries of return.

The website, which will be updated with new stories from returnees, also aims to provide individuals with the information they need to make an informed decision, and to present new opportunities for those who ultimately decide to return.

This project is supported by the Irish department of Justice and Equality.
 
For more information, please go to: http://www.iomstoriesofreturn.org/p/home    

Or contact  

Antonio Jaén Osuna
IOM Ireland
Tel: +353 1 676 06 55
Email: ajosuna@iom.int