Department of Migration Management

The Department of Migration Management is is responsible for the development of policy guidance for the Field; the formulation of global strategies; standard-setting, quality control; and knowledge management relating to "mainstream" migration sectors, including labour and facilitated migration, migration and development, counter-trafficking, assisted voluntary return, migration health, assistance for vulnerable migrants, immigration and border management and overall capacity-building in migration management. In addition, the Department also manages the IOM Development Fund and is responsible for reviewing, endorsing and managing multi-region and global projects. The Department provides technical supervision of project review and endorsement to experts in the Field. It is also responsible for maintaining operational partnerships with relevant governmental, multilateral and private sector industry partners in coordination with the Department of International Cooperation and Partnerships.

The Department of Migration Management is composed of four divisions and one unit:

    (a) Migration Health Division;
    (b) Immigration and Border Management Division;
    (c) Migrant Assistance Division;
    (d) Labour Migration and Human Development Division; and
    (e) IOM Development Fund

The Migration Health Division has the institutional responsibility to oversee, support and coordinate the Organization's provision of migration health services globally. These services aim to meet the needs of States in managing health-related aspects of migration, and to promote evidence-based policies and integrated preventive and curative health programmes that are beneficial, accessible and equitable for vulnerable migrants and mobile populations. Recognizing that health serves as a catalyst for fostering positive migration outcomes, and in response to the Sixty-first World Health Assembly resolution on the health of migrants (May 2008), the Migration Health Division promotes policies and programmes that contribute to migrants' improved physical, mental and social well-being, and enable them to contribute to the socio-economic development of their home communities and host societies.

The Division provides technical guidance, policy advice and establishes partnerships with relevant governmental, multilateral, civil society and private entities in the domain of migration health. Through the Division's different units, IOM addresses the needs of migrants and the public health needs of host communities; provides oversight for the Migration Health Assessment Programme, which evaluates the physical and mental health status of migrants either prior to departure or upon arrival; promotes access to equitable and quality health services for migrants and mobile populations; and provides technical standards and programme support in key thematic areas such as emerging and re-emerging diseases, HIV prevention and care, and psychosocial support. Fore more information, see Migration Health.

The Immigration and Border Management Division has the institutional responsibility for overseeing activities related to border management solutions and pre-consular services. The Division provides assistance to governments in developing, testing and implementing new approaches to address particular migration processing challenges, including the use of biometrics and automated processing solutions. It provides technical support to governments to address core capacity-building needs on border and identity solutions policy and operational systems, including data systems, border management and travel documents, and also helps develop initiatives to assist governments and migrants to access regular migration regimes that are efficient, reliable and secure. For more information, see Immigration and Border Management.

The Migrant Assistance Division is responsible for providing policy and technical guidance to the Field in assisted voluntary return and reintegration, counter-trafficking activities and general assistance for stranded and vulnerable migrants, including unaccompanied minors. The Division supports the Field in developing and implementing safe and dignified assisted voluntary return and sustainable reintegration programmes for migrants returning to their home country; supports the development and implementation of activities directed towards the prevention of abuse and exploitation of migrants; and provides direct assistance to migrants who have been trafficked or who may have experienced abuse or exploitation, particularly vulnerable groups such as the elderly and unaccompanied minors. For more information, see Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration; Counter-Trafficking; Repatriation Assistance; Stranded Migrant Facility.

The Labour Migration and Human Development Division is responsible for providing policy and operational guidance in programme development and technical support for labour migration, migration and development, and facilitated migration initiatives. The Division helps build Field capacity to address the individual needs of governments and migrants, to develop and implement projects in the field of labour migration and to promote migrant workers' responsibilities and rights. It also supports the development and implementation of projects to enhance effective linkages between migration and development by helping to realize the potential to contribute to sustainable development and poverty reduction for the benefit of migrants, their families and communities, and of the countries of origin and destination. In consultation with governments of destination and origin, it provides migrants with training to enable them to adapt rapidly to their new countries of settlement and to promote a harmonious coexistence between newcomers and host communities. For more information, see Labour Migration; Migration and Development; Migrant Training; Migrant Integration.

The IOM Development Fund Unit provides special support to IOM developing Member States and Member States with economy in transition for the development and implementation of joint projects by IOM and governments to address particular areas of migration management. For more information, see IOM Development Fund