Norway - IOM Norway has launched the latest outreach project for its Voluntary Assisted Return Programme. “Stories of Return” comprises a booklet – Postcards of Return – and a website (www.iomstoriesofreturnnorway.com), where migrants tell their stories of returning to their country of origin. 

To launch the project, IOM Norway Chief of Mission Joost van der Aalst met with Norwegian State Secretary of Justice and Security Jøran Kallmyr to explain the thinking behind the project – the creation of a product that would allow people to learn about the return process from other migrants who have already returned to make a better informed choice on whether or not to return.

This year almost 1,400 people have returned to their country of origin with IOM Norway’s help. Of these, around 1,250 have received a financial reintegration package to help them to re-establish themselves on arrival. According to van der Aalst, most returnees need some kind of assistance with their return and reintegration.

IOM offers specific reintegration packages for certain nationalities, as well as for vulnerable groups including victims of trafficking, unaccompanied minors, migrants with medical needs and other vulnerable individuals. The packages can include financial support for education, training and housing, he noted.

The booklet describes how Astrat from Ethiopia spent his reintegration support on renovating his house. Nibar from Iraq used his in-kind assistance to attend English language classes. Jusup from Russia said that his post-arrival life has been challenging, but the IOM support was helpful.

The Stories of Return booklet will be distributed in asylum reception centres, through NGO partners and in places frequented by irregular migrants and failed asylum seekers.  The website will be continuously updated with new stories from returning migrants.

For more information, please contact

Sigurd Tvete

IOM Norway

Tel. +47 40674986

Email: stvete@iom.int