IOM plays a key role in global resettlement. Providing essential support to States in resettling refugees and other humanitarian entrants is a fundamental purpose and among its largest ongoing activities. Along the resettlement continuum – from identification to integration – IOM works in four main areas: (a) case management; (b) health assessment and related assistance; (c) movement management and operations; and (d) addressing integration pre-departure and post-arrival.

Resettlement is a protection tool to meet the specific needs of refugees and a durable solution and demonstration of international solidarity and responsibility-sharing. It allows people to begin life anew who would otherwise have neither home nor country to call their own. Annually, IOM supports some 30 States to carry out resettlement, relocation and humanitarian admissions schemes for refugees and other vulnerable persons. In 2020, IOM supported over 27 States in conducting resettlement, humanitarian admissions and relocation for a total of 40,536 refugees and other persons in situations of vulnerability, with significant operations out of Afghanistan, Greece, Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey. The top three resettlement countries were Canada, Sweden and the United States of America. Given the increased needs and lack of available places for resettlement, IOM continues to engage with actors on increasing accessibility to safe and legal pathways.