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IOM Internationale Organisatie voor MigratieIOM International Organization for Migration

Facilitating Integration through Cultural Orientation

Migration for the benefit of all

Established in 1951, IOM is the leading inter-governmental organization in

the field of migration and works closely with governmental, inter-governmental

and non-governmental partners.

With 132 member states, a further 17 states holding observer status and

offices in over 100 countries, IOM is dedicated to promoting humane

and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services

and advice to governments and migrants.

Refugees by definition are unable to return home or remain in the country

of first asylum. Often resettlement to a third country is the only practical and

durable solution. Through the generosity of resettlement countries and the

endeavors of international and non-governmental organizations, resettlement

is now seen as a fundamental tool of international protection for refugees.

The decision to resettle a refugee is taken when there is no alternative means

of guaranteeing their legal or physical security. In light of this, the oft-quoted

description of resettlement as a ‘last resort’ does not mean that there is a

hierarchy of solutions and that resettlement is the least valuable or needed

among them. For many refugees, resettlement is in fact the best - sometimes

the only - alternative.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) facilitates refugee resettlement

to the Netherlands at the request of the Dutch government. Through its

worldwide network in over 132 countries, IOM is well-placed to provide a range

of pre-departure services as well as make arrangements for safe travel to the

Netherlands.

One important service related to successful resettlement is the cultural

orientation training refugees receive prior to their arrival in country of final

destination. In IOM’s view, this training contributes to refugees’ successful

resettlement by addressing a wide range of issues related to facilitating

the integration process.

IOM underlines the importance of cultural orientation training as part of a

well-managed resettlement process. The training contributes by reducing

refugees’ concerns and overall anxiety while at the same time increasing

their chances of successful integration.

The host society gains through a decreased need to support the newcomers,

while fostering an atmosphere of mutual understanding and respect among

refugees and the community at large.

Through the experiences and personal stories of trainers and refugees in this

booklet, IOM hopes to make a positive contribution to European Resettlement

programs by promoting humane and orderly migration that benefits migrants

and society alike.

INTRODucTION

Facilitating Integration through Cultural Orientation

Facilitating Integration through Cultural Orientation2 / 3

Ultimately through managing expectation and addressing the values of the receiving country, the training fosters a greater sense of belonging. This inherently contributes to the smooth integration into the host country. IOM 2009 - MR O0041

Introduction 1

Resettlement to the Netherlands 4

Netherlands Cultural Orientation Project - NLCO 5

Resettlement of Migrants to the Netherlands - NLcO 7

Migrant Training - Focus on smooth integration 8

IOM Migrant Training programme statistics worldwide 9

NLcO website 11

Map - NLcO trainers worldwide 12

Trainers’ views - May Sandar Win 14

Trainers’ views - Neera chaulagai 16

Trainers’ views - Lina Koussa 18

Trainers’ views - Timnit Embaye 20

Migrant story: Rujjabu Tugume and Emmanuel Mobonga 22

Migrant story: Farida Hares Faizi 24

Migrant story: Raymond Lutaaya 26

Migrant story: Fathi Hussein Ben Khalifa 28

Conclusion 31

Movements and Facilitated Migration 32

cover photo: A class conducted in the Kakuma Refugee camp in

northwestern Kenya for the ‘Somali Bantus’.

Contents

4 / 5 Facilitating Integration through Cultural Orientation

Since 1984 the Dutch government has admitted refugees for resettlement to

the Netherlands on an annual basis. IOM facilitates the resettlement of refugees

through the processing of relevant documentation, performing medical

screening and arranging safe, reliable and economical transportation.

IOM has facilitated the resettlement of over 3,500 refugees to the Netherlands

since 1997.

The Dutch resettlement process

Dutch immigration officials interview groups of refugees on the spot that have

been referred by uNcHR. Each year a maximum of four missions visit the

countries of asylum and select around 80 to 100 refugees for resettlement.

Approximately 100 to 150 refugees a year are allocated for dossier selection.

These dossier cases can be emergency (medical) cases, requests for family

reunification, as well as cases from countries of asylum that are not addressed

during selection missions. It entails refugees whose files are reviewed and

accepted but who haven’t had any formal face-to-face interview with the Dutch

immigration officers. An allocation for dossier resettlement cases within

the yearly quota ensures flexibility in accepting cases in need of resettlement.

The case is then accepted based upon the dossier compiled by uNHcR.

Pre departure training

The Dutch central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (cOA) provides

pre-departure cultural orientation for refugees accepted after a selection

mission. Staff members of cOA travel to the countries of asylum and provide

the refugees with four day cO training. However, refugees accepted on a

dossier basis did not receive any form of pre departure orientation before the

launch of the NLcO project. Due to capacity and logistical reasons it was not

possible for cOA to address these refugees.

As IOM is present in almost all countries of asylum and has worldwide

experience with pre departure training, the NLcO project made it possible to

also provide CO training to the dossier based cases.

During the pre departure cO training refugees receive information about Dutch

life and society and their initial period in the Netherlands. The training will

assist the refugees in creating a realistic picture of their life in the Netherlands

and helps them to manage their expectations.

THE NETHERLANDS

Resettlement to the Netherlands

The Dutch government recognizes the need for pre-departure cultural

orientation as a critical tool to assist and provide the refugees with accurate

knowledge of their country of destination and preparation for the adaptation

process. Without accurate information, newcomers may have unrealistic

expectations about life in the Netherlands and lack the coping skills and

cultural sensitivity necessary for a smooth integration.

Tailor-made programme

IOM’s Netherlands cultural orientation (NLcO) project aims at providing a

tailor-made pre-departure cultural orientation training to refugees selected on

dossier basis. This can be small groups, families or individuals accepted for

resettlement to the Netherlands. Before the NLcO project was introduced,

dossier cases did not receive any pre-departure cultural orientation training

and therefore came to the Netherlands with no formal preparation, and often

with unrealistic expectations. The NLcO project is run in close partnership

with the Dutch central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (cOA)

and the Dutch Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations

As dossier based cases can be resettled from countries throughout the world

the NLcO project identified 12 professional IOM cO trainers. The trainers are

based in 10 countries of first asylum covering Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea (cKY),

Jordan, Kenya, Nepal, the Russian Federation, Syria, Turkey and Thailand.

The cO trainers received training about the Dutch cO curriculum during a

kick-off meeting in the Netherlands at the start of the project. All necessary

information was made available via a new developed secure website which is

updated regularly.

Basic and extended training

In coordination with cOA a cO curriculum has been designed. Two types

of cO trainings were developed. The reason for the division is based on

the fact that certain categories of refugees cannot receive a three-day cultural

orientation training due to their health condition or the high security risk of

certain emergency cases.

THE NETHERLANDS

Netherlands Cultural Orientation Project - NLCO


Basic Package

The shortened cultural orientation training aims to provide the refugee with

written information and images about the Netherlands. This information is

provided in their native language. The basic package also includes a social

intake in which the trainer gains information about the refugees’ profile.

This information is also shared with the receiving municipality prior to the arrival

of the refugees in the Netherlands.

Extended Package

This type of training consists of three days of cultural orientation training.

This training is provided through IOM’s qualified cO trainers and also makes

use of the NLcO website which contains the cO curriculum, the participants

guide for the refugees, the trainer’s handbook and other relevant materials.

Topics which are addressed during the training include:

– needs assessment and knowledge of the Netherlands prior to the training;

– pre-departure document processing and preparing for travel;

– travel and transit;

– housing (reception centers to municipality);

– general facts about the Netherlands;

– history and political structure;

– living in Dutch society;

– education and health care services;

– rights and obligations;

– employment and money management;

– cultural adaptation and saying good-bye.

The cultural orientation training assists the refugees to become self-sufficient

as soon as possible, while minimizing cultural shock and promoting the smooth

integration of refugees into Dutch society.

In addition to content and factual information about the Netherlands,

the training activities also focus on exploring attitudes and behavioral changes

needed for successful integration.

• Asia 49 44%

• Africa 34 32%

• Middle East 25 23%

• Europe 1 1%

Total 109 100%

• Above 12 94 86%

• Below 12 15 14%

Total 109 100%

• Female 47 43%

• Male 62 57%

Total 109 100%

Region

Age

Gender

THE NETHERLANDS

Resettlement of Migrants to the Netherlands - NLCO

For the project year April 2010 to June 2011, the NLcO project has targeted

150 individuals to participate in cultural orientation training prior to their

resettlement in the Netherlands. until February 2011 the NLcO project has

assisted a total of 109 migrants who participated in the training and

subsequentlyarrived in the Netherlands. The trends and analysis of arrivals

to the Netherlands has been depicted through graphs showing a comparison

by geographical region, gender and age group.


Anyone moving to a country where cultures, traditions and practices are

different from one’s own can be expected to undergo a significant period of

adjustment. Refugees accepted for resettlement in third countries often come

straight out of refugee camps and have little if any knowledge of the societal

and economic realities, which await them. IOM’s Migrant Training and

Integration unit, based in IOM Headquarters in Geneva, provides technical

support to projects aimed at preparing migrants’ who integrate into receiving

countries. This is achieved through the provision of objective and accurate

information to various groups of migrants, including resettled refugees.

Empowering participants

The primary objective of any cultural orientation training is to prepare and

empower migrant participants for their initial period of resettlement through

creating meaningful learning opportunities. This is achieved through the

provision of information, as well as creating opportunities to develop the right

kinds of attitudes and skills needed to facilitate integration into the receiving

society. IOM’s training methodology is one that recognizes an interactive,

learner-centered approach while also taking into account different learning

styles. Experiential and participatory training are the most effective approaches,

focusing on skills and attitudes rather than simply on passing on information.

This approach, which requires a great deal of patience and dedication on the

part of trainers, is now seen as an integral part of the training - to assist the

migrants during periods of transition with compassion and respect, thereby

contributing significantly to raising self-esteem and reducing levels of anxiety.

Sense of belonging

The purpose of the training goes further than simply passing on information.

A well-designed tailored orientation can help refugees gain familiarity with

cultural practices and get used to different styles of communicating, as well

as shifts in roles and ways of thinking. Through well-planned, small group

activities, women and youth are encouraged to step forward and become more

involved in the learning process while gaining self-confidence in the process.

ultimately through managing expectations and addressing the values of the

receiving country, pre-departure training fosters a greater sense of belonging.

This inherently contributes to the smooth integration into the receiving society.

IOM WORLDWIDE

Migrant Training - Focus on smooth integration

Programmes AUSCO - Australian Cultural Orientation

Caseload Refugees and Humanitarian Entrants: Afghani, Bhutanese,

Myanmarese (Rohingyas), Burundian, congolese, Eritrean,

Ethiopian, Iranian, Iraqi, Liberian, Palestinian, Rwandan,

Sierra Leonean, Somali, Sudanese, Tibetan, Togolese

Training sites 4 regions, 25 countries

Programmes COA - Canadian orientation Abroad

Caseload Refugees: (Afghan, Bhutanese, Burundian, colombian,

congolese, Eritrean, Ethiopian, Iraqi, liberian, Nigerian,

Palestinian, Russian, Rwandan, Somali, Sudanese, Tajik,

Togolese) Skilled Workers; Family class; Provincial

Nominees; and Investors; (colombian, Filipino, Iranian,

Lebanese, Pakistani, Sri Lankan); Labour Migrants:

(Filipinos under the Live-in caregiver programme)

Training sites 14 Countries , 8 mobile training centers

Programmes EUREMA - Intra EU Re-allocation from Malta

Caseload Refugees bound for France, uK, Germany, Portugal,

Slovenia: Eritrean, Iraqi, Liberian, Moroccan, Somali,

Sudanese, Sierra Leonian, Ethiopean

Training sites 14 Countries , 8 mobile training centers

Programmes FINCO - Finnish Cultural Orientation

Caseload Refugees: congolese, Iranian, Iraqi, Somalis, Sri Lankan,

Myanmarese

Training sites 3 Regions, 4 Countries

Programmes CO France - Cultural Orientation for France

Caseload Eritrean, Iraqi, Ivorian, Sudanese, Somali, Sri Lankan

Training sites Jordan, Malta, Syria

Programmes CO/LT Japan - Cultural Orientation / Language Training

for Japan

Caseload Refugees: Karen (Burmese)

Training sites Thailand

* 2010

IOM WORLDWIDE

IOM Migrant Training programme global statistics*


Programmes NORCO - Norwegian Cuétural Orientation

Caseload Eritrean, Palestinian, Iraqi, Myanmarese, Bhutanese, Iranian

Training sites 6 countries

Programmes UK- ELT/CO - United Kingdom English Language

Caseload Refugees in uK Gateway Protection Programme Burmese

(Rohingya), congolese, Iraqi

Training sites 5 countries

Programmes USCO - United States Cultural Orientation

Caseload Afghani, Bhutanese, Burmese, cambodian, chinese,

congolese, Egyptian, Eritrean, Ethiopian, Indian, Iranian,

Iraqi, kyrgyz, Moldovan, Nepalese, Pakistani, Palestinian,

Russian, Somali, Siera Leonean, Sudanese, ukrainian,

Ex- uSSR nationals, uygur, uzbek

Training sites 3 regions, 17 countries

Programmes Pre-departure Orientation for Migrant Recruits bound

for Canada

Caseload Guatemala, Mauritian, Nicaraguan, Salvadoran

Training sites Guatemala city, Port Louis

Programmes PDTLM - Pre Departure Training for Labour Migrants

in East Africa

Caseload Kenyan youth bound for Dubai, Qatar, Seychelles

Training sites Kenya

Programmes Other: Less than 50 participants

Caseload chinese uS bound immigrants from Hongkong and

Filipino fiancé visa beneficiaries; labour migrants from

Libyan construction and IT sector; ukrainians from Portugal

Training sites Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, ukraine

Total 2010: 40,749 persons (18,493 F, 22,256 M) (45% F, 55% M)

An innovative element of the NLcO project is the development of a website.

This website serves as a long distance information and learning tool for IOM’s

cultural orientation trainers who are based in various countries all over the

world. The website is developed in order to provide trainers with constant

up-to-date information which can be accessed at any time, in any place.

The website includes the whole curriculum for the basic and extended

training. Trainers can go through the curriculum step by step and will find

pictures, online available DVD’s, exercise suggestions and written information

in varied languages for each topic.

In addition online evaluation forms are available that enable trainers as well

as refugees to give feedback and provide input after the training.

Screenshot of the NLcO website showing day 2 of the extended training package.

The NLCO website can be found at: www.nlco.iom.int. Access requires a personal password.

THE NETHERLANDS

NLCO website

NLCO trainers world wide


Patience LarteyGhana

Albert Jackson DavisGhana

Timnit EmbayeKenya Interview: page 17

Abdullahinur KassimKenya

Alhaji KamaraGuinea Conakry

Sinan IzciTurkey

Lina KoussaSyriaInterview: page 16

Meheret TelilaEthiopia

Rima JabagiJordan

Sergey LoktionovRussian Federation

May Sandar WinThailandInterview: page 14

Neera ChaulagaiNepalInterview: page 15

Timnit EmbayeKenya Interview: page 17

Abdullahinur KassimKenya

Lina KoussaSyriaInterview: page 16

Meheret TelilaEthiopia

Rima JabagiJordan


country: Thailand

Language: English, Tai, Karen, Burmese

When I joined IOM as a cultural orientation trainer in 2007 I delivered classes

to refugees bound for the united States of America. Later I was assigned to

prepare Karen refuges for their resettlement in Ireland. My experience led up

to my conducting pre-departure cultural orientation classes for refugees going

to the Netherlands.

Dutch perspective

The opportunity to attend the kick-off ‘train the trainer’ meeting in The Hague

was an eye-opening experience for me. Not only because it was my first time

in the Netherlands but it also enabled me to get first-hand experience of what

it was like to function in Dutch society. The different perspectives of NLcO

trainers on Dutch culture and society provided

me with useful information and resources. I was

able to use all these experiences, information

and photos in my NLcO training for refugees in

Thailand destined for the Netherlands.

To date I have trained 14 individual participants

and six families. The NLcO participants I worked

with are of different nationalities and ethnic

backgrounds, namely Kachin, Karen and

Burmese refugees from Myanmar and Hmong

refugees from Lao PDR. The former were camp-based residents in

Thailand while the latter were urban refugees, surviving in big cities like

Bangkok and Lopburi under the protection of uNHcR and with the assistance

from the Bangkok Refugee centre.

TRAINERS’ VIEWS

May Sandar Win“Preparing refugees for a new life”

With open arms

The most exciting and touching moment for me was when I saw the photos

of a mother receiving her three children at Schiphol Airport with open arms

and tears of joy in her eyes. The mother and her children had been separated

for more than ten years. At that very moment, the thought that occurred to

me was, ‘What a wonderful reunion for this family!” and I was very pleased to

have assisted these children by providing them with some useful information

and skills prior to their resettlement in the Netherlands.

The most satisfactory thing about my NLcO

training experience is the thought that individuals

I work with will soon be starting a new life or

having a happy reunification with their families.

The countries they go to are in any case safe and

everyone is protected by the law, can enjoy equal

human rights and children can have access to

education.

TRAINERS’ VIEWS

May Sandar Win“Preparing refugees for a new life”


country: Nepal

Language: Nepali, Hindi, English

In its first year of operation, only one family was referred to IOM Nepal for

NLcO training; an Afghan family living in New Delhi, India. Five of the six

members of the family attended; one member was elderly and ill and did not

attend.

Prior to conducting the class, I asked

the family what they knew about the

Netherlands and what they wanted to

know. This proved to be very useful as

the mother of the family was a journalist

who knew a quite a lot. Asking what

they wanted to learn helped to focus the

class and made it easier to customize

the information for this particular group.

For example, though the family had

travelled to India by air, they were still

nervous about the flight and wanted to discuss their flight to the Netherlands

in detail.

Appealing examples

IOM’s cultural orientation team in Nepal believes that people learn best not

when they are being lectured to, but when they are given practical examples

and are asked to reflect upon what they see and then to find solutions for

themselves. Often, such activities require a somewhat larger group in order

to generate discussion. But also with a single family some of these activities

are indeed possible and so the family was given a number of situations, or

problems, and asked to come up with solutions. The ‘Three Glasses of Water’

activity allowed the family to explore various models of assimilation: would

they assimilate completely, like sugar dissolving in water, or isolate themselves

like oil and water which fail to mix, or would they take some of the Dutch

culture while offering the Dutch some of their culture?

TRAINERS’ VIEWS

Neera Chaulagai“Encourage them to findsolutions for themselves”

The family had many questions to ask and, because the group was so small,

I was able to spend my time focusing on their concerns only.

Valuable resource

The NLcO website is unique amongst all IOM cultural orientation programs.

It should certainly be considered a best practice, as it is a valuable resource

for the trainer. The website is constantly updated with new information, so

the trainer’s information is always up to date and authoritative. The website is

also useful in the classroom with the students.

TRAINERS’ VIEWS

Neera Chaulagai“Encourage them to findsolutions for themselves”


country: Syria

Language: Arabic and English

As an NLcO trainer, I trained four Iraqi refugees in Damascus, one in Amman,

and eleven Iranian refugees in Beirut. Two cases were about family reunification.

Though it was difficult to handle a session with one or two applicants, the

sessions were positive: the applicants were active and they clearly wanted to

benefit from the sessions.

Moving to a new culture

Most of the applicants were well educated. All of them expressed their thoughts

and feelings in wanting to start a new life in a safe place and learning the

Dutch language. They were aware that it is difficult to integrate into Dutch

society and they realized that they needed to work hard to integrate from the

start. They expressed their vulnerability in moving to a new culture completely

different from theirs.

Refugees with relatives in the Netherlands

seemed more stable and less scared than the

others. Also, they knew more about Dutch

society. Generally, most applicants were

interested in the Dutch culture and most of

the questions were about this topic.

TRAINERS’ VIEWS

Lina Koussa“Working hard to integrateproperly”

‘cultural Iceberg’

In order to learn the Dutch language we use the internet for an online Dutch

language session; also because I cannot speak Dutch myself. I even started

learning the language myself this way. An lranian family I trained was even

able to make a simple Dutch conversation. They bought a book to learn Dutch

and continued using the internet for that purpose. I was very impressed when

I met them.

Of the practical exercises the ‘cultural Iceberg’ exercise was very effective in

dealing with both Iraqi and Iranian applicants. This activity makes them start

thinking about behaviour and cultural issues regarding their way of living in

the Netherlands.

One day when we were doing the ‘Gain and

Lost’ exercise, the applicant broke down;

a divorced woman who had a sister in the

Netherlands. She was afraid to travel and

afraid to leave her mother alone. In the end

though, she was strong enough to set herself

the target of learning the Dutch language and

to start working in order to be self-sufficient

within one year.

TRAINERS’ VIEWS

Lina Koussa“Working hard to integrateproperly”


country: Kenya

Language: Amharic, Kiswahil, Arabic and English

I trained a family of four women in Khartoum, Eritrea. It was a great success

because I am from the same country and speak the same language and

share their same culture. As a result they were able to ask as many questions

as possible without reservations, which they would not have done with a

trainer from a different country.

I think it is a good idea to train ‘dossier’ cases because African refugees do

not know the Netherlands very well and some, like those trained in Khartoum,

do not even know that a country by the name of the Netherlands exists.

I conducted a second class here in Nairobi consisting of two young ugandan

graduates. It was very effective and they participated well because of their

English and academic knowledge. The training went well as planned.

Participants were very enthusiastic and eager to learn about their new home.

They were very pleased with the information

they acquired during the training including the

topic “Journey to the Netherlands”,

as they had never travelled by plane.

TRAINERS’ VIEWS

Timnit Embaye“The training servedthem well”

The ugandan men, Rujjabu and Emmanuel, were very thankful to the

Government of the Netherlands and IOM for the training and information they

were given. They were happy about the training and it served them well in

Netherlands, which they wrote in an email to me:

“Thanks for a good orientation because you gave us a clear picture and things

turned out to be easy for us. Very soon we shall be starting our language

classes.”

Thanks

Rujjabu

“I want to thank you for the training you gave us since it really prepared us for

life this way. Like you said we didn’t have to put our expectations so high and

so we were not disappointed.”

Emmanuel

They were open-minded and ready to learn. Given the opportunity I am sure

they will make it.

TRAINERS’ VIEWS

Timnit Embaye“The training servedthem well”


Applicants: Rujjabu Tugume, Emmanuel Mobonga

Nationality: ugandan

Family Situation: Single men

Country of Asylum: Kakuma camp Nairobi Kenya

Rujjabu and Emmanuel are two young ugandan men who where living in the

Kakuma camp in Nairobi Kenya. In November 2010 they where given cultural

orientation training in order to prepare them for a new future in the Netherlands.

Both men are well qualified and graduated in computer Engineering and

Business Administration. They claim they that had to flee their country due

to the civil war at the time. Having gone through many hardships they are

reluctant to elaborate on the journey that they had to take.

Learning the language

Having participated in the cO training they had their concerns about gaining

employment, learning the langue and integrating into society. “I would like to

work as a professional film editor as I have worked in this profession before.

However I feel that I may have to study first so that it can be easier for me to

get a job. I know I will have to work hard and learn quickly,” Rajjabu said.

Emmanuel: “I have been given a great opportunity and I will use it well and be

able to continue my education. I would like to someday become an

entrepreneur and be able to create job opportunities for many others.”

IOM visited Rujjabu and Emmanual five months after their arrival in the

Netherlands. They started Dutch classes three times a week as they wanted

to learn the langue as soon as possible. Rujjabu had just received word that

cOA and a municipality in Friesland found him accommodation. He was in

the process of painting his new home. “Having lived in the reception centre

for many months I am a bit nervous to leave and start my new life. But I’m

also excited.” Emmanuel hopes to be moving soon as well. He hopes he will

have a home close to Amsterdam.

MIGRANT STORY

“Seizing a great opportunity”

Managing expectations

Both boys have been in touch with the Dutch Foundation for Refugee Students

(uAF). uAF provides support to highly qualified refugees and asylum seekers

who plan to study and find employment in the Netherlands.

Both Rujjabu and Emmanuel showed their appreciation for IOM. Timnit Embaye,

their cO trainer in Kenya, was able to provide them with a good impression

of life in the Netherlands and was able to manage their expectations.

They felt no culture shock when they arrived as they were well prepared.

They are now happy and safe and looking forward to starting their new lives.


Applicant: Farida Hares Faizi

Nationality: Afghan

Family Situation: Husband, father and four children

Country of Asylum: New Delhi, India

Farida and her family fled to India from Afghanistan in 2008 and found refuge

in New Delhi. Having gone through the uNHcR registration process, they

received word that they had been accepted to come to the Netherlands to

start a new life. They followed a three day cultural orientation programme in

order to prepare them for what would be awaiting them in their new country.

Starting a new life

Farida, a journalist by profession, was looking forward to starting a new life in

order to make a better future for her four children. “We would like to go and

start a new life there. I hope my children will be able to get a good education.

We would be able to work hard in a new country as we are still young,” said

both Farida and her husband.

Farida and her family were familiar with modern appliances and were even

able to ride bicycles. coming from Afghanistan even the cold climate was

familiar to them. This gave them a better hope for integrating into the new

society. Their four children echoed their parent’s words and expressed their

hopes for a better education. “We would like to study and complete our

education and go to university. We would like to be educated women of the

world,“ said Farida’s two daughters.

Learning Dutch habits

IOM visited the family in the cOA reception centre in Leersum. “cOA has

provided us with financial assistance to meet our day to day needs. We

sometimes go to the supermarket in town,“ Farida said. Farida even offered

‘stroopwafels’, a typical Dutch sweet, which showed they were learning

about Dutch society and habits.

Farida has worked as a journalist for ‘Free Voice in Afghanistan’, an organization

which supports the media in developing countries. When trouble broke out

this company had to shut down. Farida with her network of contacts heard

that there is a branch office of Free Voice in Hilversum in the Netherlands.

MIGRANT STORY

“Prepared for life in a new country”

She has made contact with them and is hopeful that she will be able to start

working with them again.

Having started Dutch classes in the cOA reception centre Farida’s husband

is enthusiastic to learn Dutch and hopes in the months to come he may be

able to start learning about agriculture as he would like to gain employment

in this sector.

Stimulating integration

Three of Farida’s children go to school in utrecht. Farida encourages them to

take part in sport and other activities to help them integrate better.

“The teachers are very nice and teach well and my children are learning more

each day,” so she said.

Farida and her husband said the cultural orientation they received prior to

their departure from India gave them a good insight on how life would be in

their new country. And they hoped they would be able to make a better future

for their children. “If they are happy, I’m am happy,“ Farida added

with a smile.


Applicant: Raymond Lutaaya (details changed to respect privacy)

Nationality: Mauritania

Family Situation: Wife and four children

Country of Asylum: South Africa

Having undergone many hardships Raymond and his family came to South

Africa in 2001 and started the uNHcR Registration process. Raymond was a

teacher also working in the tourism industry. His wife was a fashion designer

as well as a caregiver by profession.

Learning about modern life

In the summer of 2010 they where accepted to come to the Netherlands.

Raymond was anxious to start a new life. “I’m happy to be going to a safe

place where my children can finish their education, “he said.

Raymond and his family where very happy with the cultural orientation training.

This particular training enabled Raymond and his family to be better prepared

for the life that awaited them in the Netherlands. Part of the cO programme

consists of getting to know modern domestic appliances. The family is

familiar with electric and gas stoves, computers, flush toilets and cell phones

though they had not yet used a washing machine.

Raymond and his family arrived at the cOA reception centre in October 2010.

The three older children go to school in utrecht where they meet children

from different nationalities. They learn Dutch quite quickly. When IOM went to

visit them they had learnt Dutch enough to write a small letter thanking IOM

for the assistance that was given.

A second chance

In the meantime the municipality of utrecht informed them they had found

accommodation for Raymond and his family. They were given money by the

municipality to buy furniture and other items for their new home. They also

received assistance from their church in Leersum.

The children are very happy with their new home. They have more space than

in the centre. “We now feel we are safe and secure” stated Raymond’s wife.

They have a supermarket at a walking distance and the tram and bus transport

is very near to their home, which is making life easier for them.

MIGRANT STORY

“We were given a second chance”

When asked what are their plans for the future Raymond responded “We first

need to learn Dutch, It’s very important. In order for me to find employment

I need to learn the langue. That is our first priority“. Raymond and his wife will

soon be attending Dutch classes organized by the municipality.

Applicant: Fathi Hussein Ben Khalifa

Nationality: Libyan

Family Situation: Married with an older son. (Wife and younger son soon

to join)

Country of Asylum: Rabat, Morocco

Having left Libya twenty years ago Fathi and his family moved to Morocco.

Fathi started his own business exporting and importing chemicals and his

children were doing well in school. In 2009 the situation for Libyan nationals

became difficult in Morocco and Fathi applied for refugee status through

uNHcR.

Safe future

In 2010 he and his eldest son received refugee status. They came to

the Netherlands. Fathi felt his family would be safe and benefit from the

freedom and democracy that the Netherlands had to offer.

It took six months for Fathi to prepare his final documents for travel and sort

out his business and take care of his family left behind. He wanted to come and

settle things before arranging for his wife and younger son to join them later.

In August 2010 Fathi came to the Netherlands. “When I saw the smiling IOM

officer at Schiphol I sighed with relief; I now felt safe.” Fathi and his son were

brought to the cOA reception centre in Amersfoort. They where provided

with a room with basic amenities where they had to share a bathroom and

cooking facilities with other migrants.

Making a living

They immediately began Dutch classes and also contacted the Dutch

Foundation for Refugee Students uAF to further advance their language skills.

Fathi already spoke a few words of Dutch when IOM visited them in March

2011. Having completed his university studies Fathi’s son started applying to

several companies. He is currently working as a trainee for a computer firm in

Hilversum and will soon be working full time.


MIGRANT STORY

“We can be of benefit to Dutch society”

In the meantime Fathi has kept himself busy. Having a business mind and

having made contacts over the years, Fathi made new contacts that may help

him start up his business soon. “I’m not sure as to exactly what I will be doing

in the future, I need to learn Dutch well but I also need to start exploring new

ways for a new business”, he said. “I am looking for a home for my family

and hopefully my wife and son can join us soon. I know I have made the right

decision to come here,“ says Fathi with a smile.


Migrant training contributes to a dignified and well-prepared migration and facilitates integration in the country of resettlement. Photo: COA

NLCO PROJECT

Conclusion

For more than sixty years, IOM has played a critical role in facilitating

resettlement around the world. IOM works closely with governments, the

united Nations High commissioner for Refugees (uNHcR), non-governmental

organizations and others. While most resettlement cases are referred to IOM

by uNHcR, in some instances, for family reunification cases, The Dutch

government refers individuals and families directly to IOM for resettlement.

IOM has been providing migrant training since the early 1950s, at the request

of governments. IOM’s unique advantage is that through its world wide network

and global footprint, it is therefore able to provide, on an ad-hoc basis, cultural

orientation training to refugees in both urban and camp settings. The aim

for all trainers is to prepare migrants prior to departure in order to facilitate a

smooth transition and adjustment process.

Most IOM trainers come from the same country or region as the migrants

they train. They understand the local situation, cultural beliefs and the way

of life of the migrants themselves. Often they speak the native language of

the refugee and this enables them to transfer information more easily and

empower the participants to adapt more rapidly to the demands of their new

environment.

Governments recognize the need for pre-departure cultural orientation as

a critical tool designed to assist and provide the refugees with accurate

information and a better understanding of the country of destination.

Without accurate information, newcomers may have unrealistic expectations

about life in their host country and lack the coping skills and cultural sensitivity

often required for a smooth transition and integration into the receiving society.

It is not always possible to arrange group selection missions. Since individual

refugees selected for resettlement are just as much in need of good preparation

as larger groups, IOM quickly found a way to respond to this need by

developing tailored NLcO packages (basic and extended) which have proven

to be successful. Evaluations and feedback from the migrants and the field

have indicated that the refugees appreciated the training offered and found

it very useful. For IOM the cultural orientation training is part of the continuum

of activities that contribute to a humane and orderly resettlement.


IOM in The Netherlands assists migrants through Assisted Voluntary Return

programmes to return to their countries of origin and to promote a sustainable

reintegration. Other programmes include Migration and Development projects

that facilitate the temporary return of qualified migrants who reside in

The Netherlands to their country of origin to help with the development or

reconstruction of that particular country. Thirdly, IOM carries out resettlement

activities under the Family reunification programme and the Resettlement to

The Netherlands programme.

The Movements and Facilitated Migration department of IOM The Netherlands

consists of the unit at Schiphol airport which facilitates the operational

and logistical aspects for the AVR and M&D programmes, and the Family

Reunification and Resettlement to The Netherlands programmes.

Resettlement to The Netherlands

At the request of the Dutch government IOM has been involved in arranging

resettlement to The Netherlands cases since 1997. Since then over 3,500

refugees have arrived in The Netherlands through this programme. IOM The

Netherlands works closely with IOM missions in countries of departure as

well as with other organisations to ensure a humane and orderly resettlement

process.

Family Reunification

IOM has implemented the Family Reunification programme since 1995.

In the context of this programme IOM assists families whose relatives received

approval to join them in the Netherlands. IOM provides similar support as for

Resettlement cases, although these are paid for by the migrants themselves.

To date, IOM has assisted more than 11,000 persons.

Activities at Schiphol

IOM’s unit at Schiphol Airport arranges and prepares the operational aspects

of the AVR programmes and provides airport assistance to the thousands of

migrants who are travelling under IOM auspices, whether they are departing

from, arriving at or transiting through Amsterdam Airport. Migrants are assisted

with check-in and boarding procedures, border-crossing and immigration

formalities and luggage and customs procedures.

THE NETHERLANDS

Movements and Facilitated Migration

ProductionIOM The Hague

Concept, design and print

insandouts communication design print, Maassluis

Photography

christophe calais (cover photo), cOA, IOM, Farida Hares Faizi,

Fathi Hussein Ben Khalifa, Raymond Lutaaya, Rujjabu Tugume and

Emmanuel Mobonga

Publisher

International Organization for Migration

Mission in the Netherlands

P.O. Box 10796

2501 HT The Hague

The Netherlands

Tel: +31 70 31 81 500

E: [email protected]

www.iom-nederland.nl

www.nlco.iom.int

Ned/0/555 T 2011

IOM is committed to the principle that humane and orderly migration benefits

migrants and society. As an intergovernmental organization, IOM acts with its

partners in the international community to assist in meeting the operational

challenges of migration; advance understanding of migration issues; and uphold

the human dignity and well-being of migrants.

copyright © 2011 International Organization for Migration (IOM). All rights

reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval

system, or transmitted in any form by any means electronic, mechanical,

photocopying, recording or otherwise without prior written permission of

the publisher.

The European Refugee Fund and the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom

Relations made this publication possible.

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