Ulaanbaatar - On August 22-23, 2024, Amy Pope, the Director General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), made an official visit to Mongolia to participate in the World Women's Forum, held in Ulaanbaatar. During the World Women's Forum, the Director General stressed the mutual impact between migration and climate change, while addressing the vulnerability and impact of women migrants under the influence of climate change.

As part of her visit, Ms Pope visited the United Nations House on August 22 and met five beneficiaries of IOM's Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR) programme (hereinafter referred to as "AVRR programme"). The AVRR programme, a cornerstone of IOM's mission, provides critical logistical, psychosocial, and financial assistance to migrants in vulnerable situations, facilitating their safe return and reintegration into their home countries.

The meeting with the beneficiaries was held in a traditional Mongolian ger in the UN compound. The five beneficiaries of the AVRR programme shared their personal stories with the Director General during the session. The Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations Amina J. Mohammed was also in attendance during the session to listen to the stories of IOM beneficiaries.

The beneficiaries have voluntarily returned from Hungary, Serbia, Belgium, and Czech Republic in 2022 and 2023 with the support of the IOM. IOM Mongolia assisted their return to Mongolia by assisting their travel to Mongolia and supported their reintegration to Mongolian society through trainings, workshops, and reintegration assistance for business and livelihood.

The Director General discussed the challenges of beneficiaries that they have encountered as migrants as well as the support that they received from the IOM. The Director General promised her full commitment to further support the AVRR programme saying, "IOM is committed to supporting the safe return and reintegration of migrants, and it is important to listen to people's experiences to ensure that IOM programmes are effective and responsive to their needs," after listening to the returnees' successful reintegration story into Mongolian society.

Since establishing its presence in Mongolia in 2011, IOM has facilitated the return of over 9,000 Mongolian men, women, and children from 37 countries worldwide. Beyond return assistance, IOM has provided tailored reintegration support to 4,000 individuals, addressing their financial, housing, health, and psychosocial needs. During the Covid-19 pandemic, IOM Mongolia played a vital role in repatriating 1,300 of the most vulnerable Mongolian migrants who were stranded abroad, primarily in Europe.

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For more information, please contact Daniel Sam at IOM Mongolia, Email: dsam@iom.int