Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration

Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR) is an indispensable part of a comprehensive approach to migration management aiming at orderly and humane return and reintegration of migrants who are unable or unwilling to remain in host or transit countries and wish to return voluntarily to their countries of origin.

Belgium

In Belgium, voluntary return has been funded by the Belgian Ministry for Social Integration since 1984. Later on, the funding was provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs/Interior via Fedasil.

Activities

This voluntary return programme is conducted in close cooperation with governmental institutions, civil society and migrant communities, constituting an example of multi-level approach to voluntary return and creating a comprehensive migration management system for the benefit of all parties involved. Working together within the Voluntary Return framework, IOM, its counterparts, and its partners are able to offer a more humane return option in full respect of the human rights and dignity of migrants.

To perform the necessary voluntary return activities and ensure the possibility of migrants to easily access the programme at each stage of their stay in Belgium, IOM has developed an extensive network of partners covering the whole territory of Belgium. The voluntary return network consists of a combination of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), local authorities (some cities and communes), governmental structures for reception of asylum seekers such as Fedasil and the Red Cross reception centres (Flemish Red Cross, French-speaking Red Cross), migrant associations and Immigration Office.

Migrants residing in Local Reception Inititatives can access the voluntary return programme via Fedasil or by referring themselves to a voluntary return partner of their choice. This provides effective services which are tailored to the different needs of the migrants in order to ensure that each potential beneficiary can choose the most suitable way to access the voluntary return programme.

IOM's Voluntary Return network of partners is divided in two categories:

Partners inside the reception network (i.e. Fedasil, Red Cross Flanders and Croix-Rouge reception centers and Immigration Office centers). Partners outside the reception network (i.e. NGOs, Cities and Municipalities and migrant associations)

We invite you to read our AVRR 2020 Report in which our activities are described, or to have a look at our 2-page 2020 Fact Sheet, which contains many details about our voluntary return programme.

Statistics

Monthly Reports

June 2022	March 2022	December 2021	September 2021
May 2022	February 2022	November 2021	August 2021
April 2022	January 2022	October 2021	July 2021

 

Yearly Reports

2021	2018	2015
2020	2017	2014
2019	2016

Partners

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Contact

• Arta Hajra Reintegration Balkans, EU and ex-USSR Focal Point +32 491 56 05 22; ahajra@iom.int
• Audrey Bety, Medical Focal Point +32 491 56 05 23; abety@iom.int
• Karel Michiels, Reintegration Assistance Focal Point and Job Placement, +32 499 64 80 94; kmichiels@iom.int
• Anne-Marie Da Silva, Latin America Focal Point +32 496 26 12 15; adasilva@iom.int
• Leila Bougrine, Reintegration Africa, Middle-East and Asia Focal Point, Counter-Trafficking Focal Point +32 491 71 78 77; lbougrine@iom.int
• Charlotte Crahay, Latin America Focal Point, UMC Focal Point; +32 2 287 7416; ccrahay@iom.int 
• Andreas De Boer, CONEX project Focal Point, adeboer@iom.int

Past Projects

• Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF)
• EU Return Fund
• Past EU Funded Projects 2012-2017

Luxembourg

In Luxembourg, IOM is currently implementing an Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR) programme that targets migrants in Luxembourg wishing to return home voluntarily. This programme is supported by the Government of Luxembourg and by the European Commission (Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund, AMIF).

Activities

It is intended for three main categories of migrants:

• Asylum seekers whose asylum applications have been rejected
• Asylum seekers who have withdrawn their asylum applications
• Irregular migrants who have lived in the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg without having claimed for asylum

Through the programme, IOM also aims to assist vulnerable groups including unaccompanied minors, victims of trafficking, single parents, pregnant women, elderly people and persons with serious medical needs.

In Luxembourg, IOM collaborates with a network of partners including several NGOs such as the Red Cross, Caritas, CLAE, and ASTI. Through this network, migrants are able to receive information about the voluntary return scheme and the opportunity to reintegrate back into their countries of origin.

Services

In Luxembourg, IOM is currently implementing an Assisted Voluntary Return project from the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg supporting EU citizens and third country nationals having a residence permit in another EU country (or a country that is associated to the Schengen area), wishing to return home voluntarily but who are lacking the means to travel back to their countries of origin or country of residence in EU. Learn more.

Depending on the individual needs and opportunities available in the country of origin, the AVRR Programme provides the following services:

• Information on the criteria to access the AVRRL Programme
• Information on the country of origin (health care, housing, education, employment, economical situation, transportation, telecommunications etc.)
• Assistance in obtaining a valid travel document
• Assistance in the transportation from the airport of Luxembourg to the migrant’s home town in the country of origin
• Direct financial assistance
• Medical assistance
• Assistance upon departure (and, if need be, in transit and upon arrival)
• Tailored reintegration support in the country of origin
• Since its implementation in 2008, the AVRR program in Luxembourg has facilitated the return of more than 1300 migrants to their respective countries of origin. 

Contact

For additional information, contact Ms. Viviane Van Hoeck at vvanhoeck@iom.int or +352 621 401 823 / +32 (0)2 287 74 27.
IOM office in Luxembourg : Rue de la Fonderie 13, 1531 Luxembourg