International Organization for MigrationInternational Organization for MigrationInternational Organization for Migration

in the United Kingdom in the United Kingdom in the United Kingdom

Annual Reflections Annual Reflections Annual Reflections

2014 2014 2014

www.unitedkingdom.iom.int

In 2014, we fo-cused our efforts on deliv-ering the best service to mi-grants in our five main pro-gramme areas: resettlement of refugees, coun-ter trafficking, migration and development, return and rein-tegration, and travel assis-

tance. Two priority activities were increasing partnerships with civil society organizations (CSOs) and improving our external communica-tions.

While we work closely with different types of mi-grants throughout the migration cycle, the role of CSOs in providing first hand support is indisputa-ble and it is through this collaboration that IOM enhances the support migrants receive. In 2014, two UK CSOs with whom we had worked closely became Observers to the IOM Council: Migrant Help and AFFORD. Relations with agencies and

academia will continue to be enhanced in 2015, to ensure a better understanding of migration issues, maximising migrants’ positive contribu-tions and increased support to migrants in need.

Thanks to these new relationships, we hosted and participated in a number of successful events: an ethical fashion show on Anti-Slavery Day, the Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict, the launch celebration of Refugee Week at Parlia-ment, a COMPAS breakfast on Climate Change and Migration, Africa in Action: celebrating dias-pora contribution to development, the World Cities Conference, and many more. In addition, we supported a UK wide grassroots led campaign on positive migration (http://www.migrants-contribute.org.uk/), which aims to stop the esca-lating demonization of migrants in the media and politics and foster a fairer debate on migration in the period leading up to the UK General Elections.

In 2014, we also managed to make changes in our communications by re-launching our improved web page (www.unitedkingdom.iom.int), as well as targeting our social media activity on Facebook and Twitter. In 2015, we hope to improve our media strategy to provide much needed guidance on policy and statistics to shift the current narra-tive on migration from negative to positive.

A message from the Chief of Mission A message from the Chief of Mission A message from the Chief of Mission

CLARISSA AZKOUL

The UK’s large and diverse diaspora communities use multiple and extended networks to facilitate the cross-border flow of skills, knowledge, ideas, finance and trade. This year, we focused much of our work on engaging different diaspora communities to understand their socioeconomic profile and the ways in which they contribute to the development of their countries of origin. Working with different partners, we carried out two diaspora mapping reports with a focus on health and education professionals from Lesotho and Nigeria. These reports outlined the diverse motives and forms of interaction between these communities and their countries of origin which are influenced by personal issues as well as structural conditions. Access to dual citizenship and improved administrative arrangements for returning residents emerged as key policy issues that could lead to a more enabling environment for diaspora to act as transnational agents of development.

The launch of these mapping reports coincided with the Ebola emergency in West Africa and allowed us to explore the role of diaspora in

humanitarian crises through a lively event at SOAS with AFFORD. In parallel with this, we used data from the Sierra Leone diaspora mapping report, concluded in later 2013, to reach out to medical professionals within the community with the requisite experience as well as on-the-ground knowledge to support the UK’s Ebola response recruitment process for medical personnel.

Under the project “Enhancing the migration evidence base for the development of Tanzania”, we worked with our office in Dar es Salaam to make links with Tanzanians living in the UK who have formed associations or are leaders within their diaspora. Through two video conferences, we facilitated dialogue between the diaspora and the government of Tanzania to ensure that their views are considered as the country’s diaspora taskforce establishes its strategy for the coming years. We look forward to 2015 when we will be launching the diaspora web portal to facilitate communication between the diaspora and the government of Tanzania and to offer resources to the diaspora, such as skills matching opportunities

The year ended with the launch of a Colombia remittances website that provides up-to-date and transparent information about the costs of sending money home from the UK to Colombia. www.remesascolombia.com allows the UK’s Colombian community to compare costs of services and to find out about the most cost-effective money transfer operators. This means

that more money remains in the pockets of the Colombian diaspora here and their families back home.

MIGRATION AND DEVELOMIGRATION AND DEVELOMIGRATION AND DEVELOPMENT PMENT PMENT

I came to the UK in 1997 to study Business and Legal Studies, starting my career in local government shortly after. I settled into UK life, got married and had two girls. After my

children were born here, I began to think about how they could better connect with their heritage country and understand their roots while being raised in the UK. I started using my free time outside of work to get into the community and connect with the Tanzanian diaspora.

Having many friends from various countries here, I see how organised they are in terms of contributing to the development of their home country. I have done a lot to really engage with my community. I am the secretary of the Tanzanian Women Association and the deputy

secretary of the Tanzania UK Diaspora Organisation.

Since President Jakaya Kikwete has come into power in Tanzania, he has been at the forefront of engaging with the diaspora and he’s trying to bring the diaspora experience back home. We are very grateful for this.

We are also very appreciative to the IOM for helping both the government and the diaspora to start that process of dialogue and supporting us throughout. Moving forward, we really want to see the results of these conversations. There is work that the diaspora must do, and work the government must do.

As the diaspora, we need to organise ourselves better in order to be able to deliver to our home country. The government, on the other hand, needs to help us address the issues we face that are barriers to our ability to deliver.

Globally, we want to build on this dialogue

through concrete actions that will hopefully turn

into positive results for the Tanzanian people,

both at home and all over the world.

MARIAM’S STORY MARIAM’S STORY MARIAM’S STORY

RESETTLEMENT RESETTLEMENT RESETTLEMENT

Resettlement is a compelling instrument and symbol of international solidarity to find a dura-ble solution for refugees who are unable to re-turn to their country of origin for fear of contin-ued persecution and do not have the option to stay in their country of asylum. For more than 8 years, we have played an important role in the resettlement of refugees to the UK. Our role in the resettlement programme is focused on the pre-departure and travel stages and relies upon IOM’s global network of offices. This year, we continued to assist the UK government in its re-settlement duties by providing pre-departure medical health assessments and movement as-

sistance to refugees and other vulnerable indi-viduals from Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, the DRC, Somalia, and Ethiopia through a number of different projects.

One of these projects is the Gateway Protection Programme, which is the UK’s national resettle-ment scheme which forms part of the United Na-tions High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) global resettlement programme. In 2014, we helped resettle 630 people across different loca-tions in the UK and the refugees are being pro-vided with integration assistance by a variety of local actors, including specialised charities and local authorities. Continued…

The Iraq and Afghan Direct Entry Programmes, on the other hand, provided the opportunity of resettlement to the UK to those individuals who had worked for the British Authorities in Iraq or Afghanistan and had made a significant contribution to the work of the UK government.

In addition to the Gateway Programme, we were approached by the UK government to coordinate the resettlement of Syrian refugees under the Syria Vulnerable Persons Relocation Scheme (VPRS). As a result of a large-scale campaign on behalf of UK charities calling for the UK government to accept Syrian refugees into the

UK, the government announced their plan to resettle a number of the most vulnerable refugees in camps bordering the war-torn country. To date, over 100 Syrian refugees have been resettled by IOM and UNHCR into the UK

and this number will continue to grow with the UK’s ongoing commitment to finding durable solutions for those displaced by the Syrian conflict. We look forward to working with our partners on these projects in 2015 and we hope to see an increase in the number of Syrians who are offered the chance to start new lives in the UK.

RESETTLEMENT RESETTLEMENT RESETTLEMENT

“While I escaped the conflict, life in the camp

was hard because of the lack of security, and

access to education and healthcare. I really

want to rebuild my life in Manchester. I have

gone from hell to paradise and I am one of the

lucky ones. Here I can gain an education, I

have rights, and I am safe.”

Ahmed, Somali refugee resettled to Man-

chester by IOM this year

COUNTERCOUNTERCOUNTER---TRAFFICKINGTRAFFICKINGTRAFFICKING

2014 was a year of advancement in the UK's counter-trafficking sector. In June, the Modern Slavery Bill was introduced to the House of Commons. This overarching document consoli-dates legislation on trafficking-related crimes into one Bill with the aim of facilitating prose-cutions. In parallel, the UK Government an-nounced its revised Modern Slavery Strategy while undergoing a review of the National Re-ferral Mechanism, the identification and assis-tance mechanism for victims of trafficking. We provided written evidence, along with numer-

ous other organisations, and the final review was published in November.

Operationally, this year we began imple-menting, in parallel, two return and reintegra-tion projects for victims of trafficking rescued in the UK. Under the EC-funded CARE project, we assisted 6 victims of trafficking with reinte-gration support services in their home coun-tries. Under the UK Government-funded Alba-nia Reintegration Project, we have assisted two individuals with reintegration services and have worked extensively with UK civil society

organisations to better communicate the services available to victims of trafficking under the project and in Albania.

In terms of capacity building activities, we have trained over 100 members of the Catholic and Anglican church on the indicators of human trafficking. Through our strong partnership with the Roman Catholic Church, we have just developed an awareness raising programme on human trafficking for teachers and students. We continued to train local authorities in the Boroughs of Croydon and Westminster and are working with the organisation Stronger2gether to train supply chain providers to understand the indicators of trafficking and how to spot this within their production lines.

In relation to raising awareness, we organised the third ethical

fashion show, Fashioned for Freedom 2014, to mark Anti-Slavery Day on October 18. This event was an opportunity to highlight the different forms of trafficking identified in the UK today and their link to the everyday products we use or wear. To give participants the opportunity to act,

the ethical fashion show promoted designers and retailers that are committed to removing forced labour and other forms of modern day slavery within their supply chains. The event was a success and brought together fashion designers and charities involved in the fight against human trafficking.

Moving forward, we intend to strengthen partnerships with civil society and government agencies to build the national response to human trafficking and support the implementation of the new Modern Slavery strategy.

COUNTERCOUNTERCOUNTER---TRAFFICKINGTRAFFICKINGTRAFFICKING

Reintegration assistance is an essential tool that supports migrants to re-start their lives in their communities after they have decided to return home. Reintegration activities seek to improve the socio-economic situation of returnees, and in particular by supporting them to secure livelihoods. Historical trends in this type of assistance have shown a focus on business start-up support, through the purchase of assets and services, with mixed outcomes depending on the country context and the returnee profile. This year, the UK Magnet project has seen a shift in focus from business start-up to job referrals for Iraqis who choose to return home to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KR-I).

In a very short period of time, the KR-I has managed to achieve a rapidly developing economy and strong state structures. These elements, and the institutional stability they provide, have created an important foundation for the international business community that is successfully establishing itself in the Region and creating a vibrant job market. Recognising that it is possible to build viable livelihoods through various kinds of employment, the UK

Magnet established mechanisms to help returnees to access these job opportunities. Despite the difficult security situation in the Region that began late summer, the project helped 39 UK returnees into employment through counselling sessions on the job market, on CV development and interview techniques. Working closely with the private sector and the Kurdistan Regional

Government (KRG), the IOM offices in Sulaymaniyah, Dahuk and Erbil provided information about live vacancies in 174 businesses (participating in the project’s job referral network) through the job matching web portal. UK returnees found jobs in the oil, construction, hotel/tourism, retail and security sectors, among others.

A new phase of the project, Magnet II, will begin for UK returnees in January 2015. They will join returnees from France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany and Finland in a wider EC-funded initiative. The challenge for us is to find new opportunities to upskill returnees with training in English and IT skills to meet the high expectations of the employers in the KR-I. We are increasing our engagement with the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs to push for access for returnees to vocational training and with the private sector to invest more in training. We look forward to working with our partners in the UK and in the KR-I to address some of these challenges and help more returnees to secure employment and manage sustainable lives in 2015 and beyond.

HELPING RETURNINHELPING RETURNINHELPING RETURNING MIGRANTS INTO G MIGRANTS INTO G MIGRANTS INTO

EMPLOYMENT IN IRAQEMPLOYMENT IN IRAQEMPLOYMENT IN IRAQ

Sulaymaniyah – Aram Qurbani left Brighton, UK, and returned home to Sulaymaniyah in 2013. A few months after his return, Aram contacted the UK Magnet Focal Point in Sulaymaniyah, Suzan Hama Bor and was assisted in preparing a CV and identifying suitable positions that he could apply for. He was soon invited for interview and was hired as a driver by an international oil company operating in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

Aram is particularly pleased with his current situation, especially after he was assured that if he takes up training courses along the way

his chances of getting promoted and progressing with his career in this company would significantly increase. Examples of the type of trainings that would be of benefit to him include improving his English and also learning more about other areas of the oil business. Aram says his big ambitions to be more than a driver. “Returning home from living in a foreign country after a long time away is

always very difficult and you need a lot of help to try and live a normal life and especially to get a job. Getting help to find work is very important for me and it was the most important thing for me when I decided to leave the UK and come home. If I had not known about the UK Magnet project or had not been told that there would be someone to help me find a job, I would not have decided to come back home.” Aram said he would definitely recommend the UK Magnet project to some of his Kurdish friends who were still in the UK and were considering returning to Kurdistan as an option.

SULAYMANIYAH’S STORYSULAYMANIYAH’S STORYSULAYMANIYAH’S STORY