IOM's assisted return activities (referred to as assisted voluntary return/AVR) have become an indispensable part of ensuring the integrity of regular migration over the past 22 years. They are part of a comprehensive approach to migration management, which includes timely asylum adjudication, effective removals of irregular migrants, regular immigration options and accurate public information on these options.

  IOM London has been managing AVR programmes since 1999, when it launched an initial pilot scheme, the Voluntary Assisted Return Programme (VARP), which was funded by the Home Office and ran until July 2000. The initial results of this generic programme were lower than expected, but gradually over a period of time the programme saw an increase in both referrals and departures as it became better known.

  Up until the beginning of 2002, the programme focused on basic assistance. Asylum seekers wishing to return to their home country and approved by the Home Office for return, were assisted with advice and information, pre-departure, transit and post-arrival assistance. Some of the returnees highlighted to IOM that the inclusion of reintegration assistance would be a very welcome component of their voluntary return, so as to assist in the re-establishment of their lives.

  Research by IOM has demonstrated that sustainable return is significant in measuring the success of return programmes, in stemming irregular migration, and discouraging smuggling practices, along with safeguarding the integrity of legal and admission systems. Sustainable return is achieved when returnees are able to reintegrate in the community of return, often through a productive role as a member of the community, without immediate cause to leave again.

  In order to strive towards sustainable return, since March 2002, the VARP has been complemented by the provision of reintegration assistance to returnees once they are back in their country of origin. IOM London in cooperation with IOM offices worldwide and their local partners has been developing reintegration activities to benefit returnees.

  The programme includes a Reintegration Fund as a pilot activity to assist returnees. It is managed by IOM London and enables the "buying" of reintegration activities that would provide tools for self-sufficiency in the returnees' home country. The reintegration assistance varies according to the needs of the returnees, and the resources and local circumstances in the country of origin. The programme also includes the creation of a databank with relevant information regarding conditions to return. Wherever possible, reintegration activities are identified back in the home country prior to departure. The reintegration fund not only provides financial support for the activity that benefits the returnees, but also, where viable, supports activities that benefit the overall community where returnees settle. For example, in the case of a family with dependent children, the reintegration component will aim to identify local employment or training courses for the parents (ie setting up small businesses, computing, tailoring or accounting courses) while for children, the programme will explore the possibility of supporting educational needs, and/or providing learning materials or teacher training support to the schools that the children will attend.

  The purpose of the programme, entitled Voluntary Assisted Return and Reintegration Programme (VARRP) 2002-03 is therefore to facilitate the voluntary and orderly return of asylum seekers and those granted exceptional leave to remain in the UK to their country of origin. Furthermore, it contributes towards the sustainability of an individual's return, and it extends reintegration possibilities to a wider target group. The programme aims to assist individuals of varied nationalities with i) pending or rejected asylum status; or ii) granted exceptional leave to remain in the UK, through organising their voluntary return to their countries of origin in an orderly and dignified manner and through assisting the returnees in their first steps towards their reintegration in their country of origin.

  During 2002 a total of 1,196 returnees departed under the VARP, indicating that IOM has assisted an average of over 99.66 returnees per month.

  Since the launch of the reintegration component the number of individuals applying for reintegration assistance has increased significantly on a daily basis. IOM is currently assisting over 22 different nationalities, and as the programme gains momentum, it is expected that the range of nationalities, as well as the number of candidates will increase significantly. With increased information outreach across the UK, potential returnees have become aware of the reintegration programme. The feedback received by NGOs in the UK and potential returnees about the reintegration component of the VARRP has been extremely positive.

  As of the end of December 2002, a total of 234 applicants applied for reintegration assistance returning to all regions of the world.

CONCLUSIONS

  The VARRP has been successful in achieving the overall objective of contributing towards the humane and orderly voluntary return of asylum seekers and those granted exceptional leave to remain in the UK to their countries of origin. In 2002 it facilitated the voluntary return of 1,196 individuals (99.9% of estimated target number of 1,200) from a wide range of nationalities. With the launch of the Reintegration pilot during the second half of the year there has been a steady increase in the number of applicants requesting reintegration assistance. IOM Missions in countries of origin have identified numerous reintegration activities which have benefited returnees. A number of individuals have already been provided with new skills which have and will facilitate their sustainable return.

  Through the extensive outreach work that has been conducted to increase the coverage and visibility of the programme and partnerships, communities have become more aware of the positive impact of such reintegration activities on returnees. This information strengthens and nurtures the confidence of communities towards the option of voluntary return.

  The challenge for the future will be to build on the existing good results of the VARRP, in attracting more applicants, within a wider range of nationalities and backgrounds. It is anticipated that the Reintegration Pilot will be seen to benefit not only returnees, but also positively impact on their local community in countries of origin. The reintegration provision will involve follow up monitoring and the collection of data on return, which may be of use for future planning, including relevant information of the push and pull factors that make people leave in the first instances.

  IOM London is also able to benefit from the experiences of our other European Missions, who in implementing similar programmes have results which can be shared and maximised. Of particular concern to the organisation at this time is the issue of what contributes to sustainable return, and in turn to discourage future irregular migration.

January 2003