The International Organization for Migration (IOM, the UN Migration Agency) 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.

The safe and dignified resettlement of refugees and other humanitarian entrants requires a comprehensive, humane and protection-oriented approach – one that recognizes the interdependencies of travel, health and integration as integral components of the resettlement process. Certain essential elements of movement operations benefit both the beneficiaries and the States undertaking to receive them. IOM believes that this holds true regardless of the type of scheme, the destination country or the profile of the migrants and refugees being assisted. At the earliest opportunity prior to departure, it is important that each beneficiary is well informed and empowered, proper attention is given to their health and well-being, and necessary arrangements are in place for their safe travel and meaningful integration. These equally important and specialized areas of work support people with significant vulnerabilities who have fled from conflict, violence and disaster and who may have been living in exile for years with interrupted health care, work and education.

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 2019, around 107,000 persons travelled under IOM’s auspices through these programmes, with significant operations out of Afghanistan, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine and the United Republic of Tanzania. Of the above-mentioned figure, 30,264 persons in need of international protection were resettled to 18 different European countries, representing 30 per cent of the global resettlement and humanitarian admission caseload assisted by IOM. Given the high needs and lack of available places for resettlement, IOM continues to engage with actors on increasing accessibility to safe and legal pathways.