Ulaanbaatar - IOM Mongolia conducted a rural service mapping and monitoring mission to Dundgovi and Umnugovi provinces from September 25 to 28, 2024. The mission was part of Belgium CSA activity 2024 managed by the Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR) programme of IOM Mongolia, funded by the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) and the Federal Agency for Reception of Asylum Seekers (Fedasil). The mission to Dundgovi and Umnugovi provinces was followed by the rural service mapping missions to Uvs and Khovd province in April 2024 and to Dornogovi province in May 2024.

Belgium CSA activity 2024 is conducted to support the sustainable integration of migrants in rural areas. Through the rural service mapping and monitoring missions, IOM Mongolia has engaged with various stakeholders of the activity and AVRR programme. IOM staff had discussions with local government and NGO partners on areas and opportunities for cooperation, perceived the lives and settlements of returned migrants in rural areas, and mapped out services for migrant

During the mission to Dundgovi and Umnugovi provinces, the mission team discussed the current situation of migration and development in the regions, the gaps and needs of migrants, and potential areas for collaboration with the government officials in Dalanzadgad and Tsogttsetsii soums. Dalanzadgad and Tsottsetsii soums are the cities that host the highest number of internal migrants in Mongolia due to their active mining industries. The team also identified the existing services and resources for migrants in the area such as vocational training, health care, and social protection services.

Through the rural service mapping and monitoring missions, IOM Mongolia enhanced its understanding of the realities and needs of migrants in rural areas and bolstered partnerships with local stakeholders.

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