Facts and Figures

IOM Member State since 1992 Capital: Islamabad Population (2010): 184.8 million Area: 796,095 sq km Language: Urdu Currency: Pakistan rupee (PKR) GDP per Capita PPP (2009): USD 2,609 HDI Rank (2010): 125 of 169 Remittances (2009): USD 8,720 million Net Migration Rate (2010-2015): -0.9 migrants /1,000 population Immigrants (2010): 2.3% Women as a Percentage of Immigrants (2010): 44.7% Population under 15 (2010): 36.6% Adult HIV Prevalence (2007): 0.1%

Sources and Definitions

Latest News

Pakistan Floods 2011: Rapid Response Plan

• Sindh Flood Victims Continue to Suffer, IOM Reviews Funding Needs
• IOM Helps 30,000 Families to Build Flood Resistant "One-Room Shelters" in Pakistan
• UK Funds IOM Shelter Aid for 180,000 Flood Victims in Sindh
• Japan Backs IOM Shelter Operations in Pakistan's Flood-hit Sindh
• IOM Establishes Camp for 200 Families in Pakistan's Flood-Hit Sindh Province

Movement, Emergency and Post-Conflict Migration Management

IOM Pakistan provides various services including refugee movement, family reunification, return, resettlement and reintegration assistance. The mission facilitates family reunification and resettlement to countries including Australia, Canada, the United States of America (USA), the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom (UK). As part of the refugee resettlement programme, IOM conducts pre-departure cultural orientation sessions for migrants going to Canada and Australia. IOM also facilitates the return and reintegration of rejected asylum-seekers and irregular migrants voluntarily returning from the UK to Pakistan.

The Emergency Support and Stabilization Unit is overseeing the design and implementation of a number of projects focusing on emergency relief, recovery, reconstruction, development and community stabilization. In response to the ongoing situation in North West Frontier Province (NWFP) and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) a number of activities are underway in line with the needs of the displaced, the returnees and the families who never left the conflict zone:

Pakistan Floods Emergency Response Plan 2011

IOM appealed for USD 114.1 million in September 2010 to respond to emergency and early recovery needs of those affected by unprecedented monsoon floods in 2010. The IOM appeal is part of a joint UN Consolidated Appeal also called Pakistan Floods Emergency Response Plan (PFERP) 2010 and the Pakistan Revised Floods Emergency Response Plan (PRFERP).

The IOM appeal includes funding to coordinate the shelter response during the emergency period; provide emergency shelter and non-food items (NFIs) to those whose houses were destroyed and those displaced by flooding; support construction of one-room shelters; provide primary healthcare services; reconstruction and development of essential community infrastructure destroyed in the floods; mass communications; security awareness training for the humanitarian community; strengthening the capacities of local governments in terms of disaster risk management and preparedness; capacity building for local organizations in disaster response; and prepositioning of shelter and non-food items for future disasters.

Coordination of the Emergency Shelter and Non-Food Item Cluster

IOM was requested by the Humanitarian Country Team and the government's National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to lead the Shelter/NFI Cluster for the emergency phase of the flood response. Dedicated coordination teams including coordinators, shelter specialists, information management and mapping experts supported a network of around 360 Shelter/NFI Cluster members. Together with NDMA, IOM co-chaired the Cluster nationally and in Sindh, Punjab and Pakistan-administered Kashmir (PAK). Regular meetings were held at national and provincial levels, with working groups who developed and reviewed strategies, produced technical guidance, sample designs and bills of quantities.

At the official closure of the emergency phase on 31 March 2011, Shelter Cluster members had reported distributions of emergency shelter to over 1 million households (over 7 million individuals), which was 66% of the estimated need. IOM successfully completed its handover to UN-Habitat, co-chair of the new Housing Early Recovery Working Group, on 31 March 2011. IOM will continue to support coordination efforts through the appointment and funding of full-time district shelter coordinators in each of the severely affected districts.

Emergency Shelter and Non-Food Items for Flood-Affected People

In the wake of unprecedented flooding across Pakistan in July 2010, shelter and basic non-food items (including blankets, kitchen sets, buckets and jerry cans) were identified by the government and the humanitarian community as priority needs of the flood-affected people. IOM Pakistan's Emergency Support and Stabilization Unit procured and received in-kind donations emergency shelter and non-food items for 394,000 households (estimated 2.75 million individuals). Items were dispatched to operational hubs and distribution points across Pakistan, with an emphasis on Sindh and Punjab – the two provinces most affected by the floods. Shelter and non-food items were distributed with support from a network of around 200 implementing partners.

Support for Construction of One-Room Shelters

In line with the Shelter Cluster Strategy, endorsed by the Government of Pakistan, IOM is supporting vulnerable flood-affected households whose houses were completely destroyed in the floods to rebuild a durable, flood-resistant one-room shelter. IOM is targeting 32,000 of the most vulnerable households in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh and Punjab provinces.

Beneficiary households are assessed, selected and registered with the support of implementing partners and local village councils. The most vulnerable beneficiaries are identified according to the following Shelter Cluster vulnerability criteria and protection criteria: (1) completely destroyed house; and (2) either absence of adult male family member, disabled or elderly family member, low-income or large family. Cash support is provided to allow flexible, needs-based support (beneficiaries choose the shelter design and building materials, ensuring that the shelter is culturally and climatically suitable and that salvaged materials are used wherever possible) and revitalize local economies and building material supply chains.

IOM teams of social mobilizers, engineers and monitoring experts provide support to implementing partners and beneficiaries. Social mobilizers organize beneficiary households into groups of 25, who are responsible for helping each other achieve construction milestones before the next payment tranche can be disbursed. Engineers and shelter specialists provide technical support for the incorporation of cost-effective disaster risk reduction techniques including plastering the walls to flood height both inside and out, building a solid foundation, reinforcing the corners and use of lintels above doors and windows. Mobile monitoring teams conduct spot checks of individual houses and provide feedback to implementing partners and IOM programme managers.

Primary Healthcare Service Delivery

IOM medical staff, working in clinics in southern Punjab and southern Sindh and serving the flood-affected communities, is providing primary healthcare services in both fixed and mobile clinics to an estimated 80,000 patients during the emergency phase of the response (until 31 March 2011) and will continue to operate through the early recovery period. In addition to providing health services, IOM staff provides referral assistance to transport complicated cases requiring specialist attention to tertiary healthcare facilities. IOM staff also carries out awareness-raising and health promotion activities in schools and other public buildings, teaching communities about the importance of personal hygiene and vaccinations.

Revitalization of Community Infrastructure and Livelihoods

In collaboration with district and provincial governments, IOM identifies key community infrastructure damaged or destroyed by the floods in need of revitalization. With inputs from all stakeholders at various levels, IOM staff undertakes effective consultations with the communities and concerned government departments to elicit the views of the people and understand their needs and priorities. This is followed by examining the technical feasibility of the proposed interventions so as to design projects appropriate to the situation as part of the overall recovery and transition development strategy.

Projects include rebuilding schools and health facilities, road reconstruction and repair, reconstruction of dairy or poultry farms, repair of drinking water supply schemes or irrigation channels and flood protection walls. Infrastructure projects are implemented through local contractors, using a labor-intensive cash-for-work approach designed to inject much-needed income into local economies. Currently, 90 infrastructure projects are planned for priority flood-affected union councils in Sindh, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

In addition, a small grants fund will revitalize livelihoods and community organizations, with an emphasis on providing funds to female artisans, businesswomen and community organizations targeting women's needs. Toolkits for community clean-up and agriculture are distributed in coordination with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to help farmers recover their livelihood.

Mass Communications Project

In emergencies around the world, access to information has been identified as a key gap in humanitarian response. For the first time in Pakistan, a concerted and consolidated effort is being made to ensure such a gap is covered. In support of the government and humanitarian clusters, the Mass Communication Project is a rapid, comprehensive and multi-medium information service for the flood-affected and conflict-affected populations in Pakistan. This project aims to:

• Provide critical information through various media to the affected population, utilizing formal as well as informal channels and indigenous networks of information;
• Function as a common service to the humanitarian community and the provincial government to develop key messages and disseminate information;
• Consolidate and coordinate multi-cluster information campaigns to ensure outreach to the affected population through humanitarian networks and encourage exchange of information between various partners so as to highlight gaps and protection concerns;
• Support uninterrupted flow of information from the critical beginning of emergency relief and response to the initiation of early recovery and reconstruction activities from the government and humanitarian community to the affected population and vice versa.

Outreach to the target beneficiaries is ensured by means of following networks:

Formal Information Dissemination: Time-critical information pertaining to conflict- or flood-affected individuals is collected from the government and the humanitarian clusters, packaged appropriately in line with protection concerns and cultural norms and disseminated through a variety of formal communication networks including available electronic and print media.

Informal Information Dissemination: Apart from formal modes of information dissemination, staff members in each severely affected district serve as focal points for informal information dissemination.

Field teams, comprised of social mobilizers and information specialists, work with local government and humanitarian clusters at the district and union council (UC) level to enhance awareness of the local population regarding service availability, provide information pertaining to humanitarian and government activities and highlight issues requiring attention of the humanitarian community.

Information Products: In addition to the formal and informal communication networks, the affected population, the government and the humanitarian community are kept abreast of the latest situation through regularly updated information products like the humanitarian FAQs and Service Handbook.

Human Networks of Information Dissemination: In order to build indigenous community capacities, field staff in each severely affected district is identifying volunteers in affected villages to constitute “human networks of information”. As leaders and representatives of their communities, these people serve as focal points for information dissemination in their areas. These information networks receive printed material, SMS and direct information from the Mass Communications Team for further propagation.

Humanitarian Call Center: A toll-free number is advertised among the flood-affected population and can be used to obtain information on available humanitarian services and inform the humanitarian community of remaining needs. Call Center staff is available to answer questions according to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) developed in coordination with the relevant humanitarian sector, or refer the case to the appropriate agency if further action is required.

Pakistan Security Awareness Induction Training

The Pakistan Security Awareness Induction Training (PSAIT) aims to increase the awareness and confidence of participants to minimize risks whilst working in potentially hostile environments in South/Central Asia. Launched in Pakistan in November 2008, this specialized training focuses on risk mitigation techniques for regions that have been identified with security and operational risks. Target audience includes staff members of national and international NGOs, prioritizing humanitarian aid workers in high risk areas.

The four-day SAIT training for humanitarian workers functioning in potentially unpredictable security situation focuses on:

• The current and developing security threats in specific areas of operations;
• Equipping trainees to identify and minimize operational risks to themselves and their colleagues;
• Training aid workers to react and respond to security emergencies and security threats in the prescribed manner;
• Practical application of the theory training received.

Strengthening the Government's Capacity for Disaster Risk Management and Preparedness

Working in support of and in close coordination with the Government of Pakistan and its National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the humanitarian community and other stakeholders, this IOM programme is comprised of:

• Procurement of Family Ration Packs and Tents for distribution amongst flood affected people
• Logistics Support — IOM acts as the consignee to relief goods flown into the country for NDMA and arranges transport to flood-affected areas across Pakistan.
• NDMA Capacity enhancement through hiring of Programme Managers and support staff dedicated to flood response
• NDMA Directed Procurement as disaster mitigation measure

ONE-UN Joint Programme Component - Disaster Risk Management (JPC DRM)

Under the One-UN Joint Programme Component for Disaster Risk Management, IOM is working to empower communities, vulnerable groups, grass-root organizations and local authorities in high-risk areas with resources and capacities to prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters. District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs) in prioritized vulnerable districts across Pakistan are being strengthened in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). After the successful completion of a pilot project in district Jhang, Punjab province, planning is under way to strengthen DDMAs in other prioritized districts aiming to:

• Establish Community-Based Disaster Assessment and Response Volunteer teams and community networks at Union Council level to collectively plan and respond to disasters;
• Train and equip the volunteer teams in coordination with local NGOs, DDMA Coordinators and district administration with disaster response, basic life saving, first aid, fire fighting and river rescue skills;
• Assist DDMAs in development and implementation of DRM Contingency and Response Plan
• Contribute to institutionalization, operationalization and strengthening of DDMAs;
• Strengthen early-warning systems in close coordination with the district authorities and community leaders.

Prepositioning of Emergency Shelter and Non-Food Items in Preparation for Future Disasters

In order to respond quickly and effectively to any future needs for emergency shelter or non-food items caused by a natural disaster (including possible renewed flooding in July-August 2011 or displacements due to conflict), IOM is strategically prepositioning items in operational hubs across Pakistan.

Main Projects

• One-Room Shelter Support for Flood-Affected Communities in Sindh, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
• Primary Healthcare Service Delivery for Flood-Affected Populations in Sindh and Punjab
• Support for Infrastructure Rehabilitation/Labour Generation at Place of Origin Damaged by Floods to Ensure Sustainable Returns and Support Recovery Process
• Support to the National Disaster Management Authority and Prepositioning of Relief Items
• Development of Strategic Communications Targeting Flood- and Conflict-affected Populations
• ONE-UN Joint Programme Component: Disaster Risk Management

Migration Health

IOM is implementing a Pre-Departure Tuberculosis Detection Programme for applicants applying for a visa to the UK for a stay of more than six months. IOM has set up four clinics in Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore and Mirpur where UK visa applicants are being issued certificates confirming that they are free from infectious tuberculosis (TB), before applying for their entry clearance.

IOM is also providing Health Assessment Services to both refugees and migrants applying for temporary and permanent residence in Australia, New Zealand and Canada. Screening of the applicants benefits both the migrants and the host communities in origin and destination through early detection of infectious and non-infectious diseases. Awareness raising activities have been incorporated into the screening programmes which help in health promotion and sensitize prospective migrants on better health seeking behaviours.

A satellite clinic in Quetta is providing pre-departure medical screening services for refugee immigrants to Australia.

IOM Pakistan is supporting the Ministry of Labour in Pakistan in devising a strategy to promote health of its temporary contractual labourers to GCC countries. IOM, ILO and UNAIDS are doing a mapping study to assess the HIV risk and vulnerabilities faced by the migrant workers at the various stages of their migration to Middles East. The project will produce evidence informed materials to be used at the various migrant interaction points including Orientation Centers by Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment (BOEOE).

Additionally, IOM has supported the Government of Pakistan's relief efforts for the flood-affected population in 2010 through deployment of doctors, nurses, paramedics and ambulances in public health facilities of districts Rajanpur, Muzaffargarh, Dadu and Thatta. To date, IOM medical teams have provided healthcare services to more than 100,000 flood victims. In early recovery phase, IOM health teams are contributing to capacity building trainings of the existing health staff as well has refurbishing the damaged health facilities.

Main Projects

• New Zealand Health Assessment Programme
• UK Pre-Departure Tuberculosis Detection Programme
• Australian Health Assessment Programme
• Canadian Health Assessment Programme
• Australian Pre-Departure Medical Screening Programme

Regulating Migration

IOM Islamabad has been working closely with the Government of Pakistan to manage migration as well as combat human trafficking and smuggling in a systematic and programmatic way. It has assisted the government in the formulation of the Human Trafficking Ordinance 2002 through provisions of over 70 national legislations to use as examples. IOM currently is conducting a counter-trafficking programme to create district taskforces to combat human trafficking. Under this project, eight district taskforces have been created in vulnerable districts throughout the country that regularly discuss situation in relevant areas, identify trafficking victims, create referral mechanisms for support to victims and build a robust network between stakeholders in the local government, law enforcement and civil society to collectively combat this crime in the country. Furthermore, IOM continues to assist the government's law enforcement agencies to increase their capacities in responding to human trafficking.

Moreover, IOM Islamabad is supporting the establishment of a trilateral dialogue between Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran on migration management within Southwest Asia. The project aims at initiating a trilateral dialogue on migration among the three countries serving as a forum for informal discourse focused on developing comprehensive and compatible national and sub-regional migration management strategies.

IOM has recently secured the EC's funding for its project to support to the Government of Pakistan for the implementation of the Readmission Agreement with the European Community. The project is currently in its initial phase and seeks to enhance Pakistan's relevant authorities' administrative and technical capacity in readmission procedures; facilitate Pakistan's case-by-case basis negotiations with EU member states on return requests and to promote wider dialogue and cooperation on readmission with the EU.

IOM Islamabad is also facilitating Ministry of Interior in running a Migration Management Cell (MMC) in a British High Commission-funded project. MMC's primary task is to conduct research, collect/collate/disseminate data on memorandum of understandings/agreements/laws and migration trends, with emphasis on human trafficking. Under the new project, IOM will provide MMC with required IT equipment and necessary staff to build its capacity. IOM has also assisted MMC in secondment of technical staff with regard to data base development and data entry for border management and keeping record of migration trends including human smuggling and trafficking.

IOM Islamabad is also conducting a sensitization programme on women's rights and vulnerability to trafficking and injustice under the ONE-UN programme with Spanish funding. The awareness raising campaigns have been conducted by disseminating printed material and radio/TV messages. Awareness raising sessions have been conducted for NGOs, civil society, lawyers, judiciary in major cities of Pakistan.

Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR) is a key tool in regulating migration and has long been an area of cooperation between IOM and various European governments. IOM Islamabad has been working closely with various IOM missions in Europe on assisted voluntary return and reintegration of asylum-seekers and irregular migrants scattered across Europe. Assistance includes training, self-employment, business start-ups and employment referrals for the returning migrants.

Main Projects

• Creation of District Taskforces to Combat Human Trafficking in Pakistan
• Trilateral Dialogue on Migration among Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran
• Support to the Government of Pakistan for the Implementation
  of Readmission Agreements with the European Community
• Technical Support and Assistance to the Migration Management Cell (MMC)
• Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (VARRP)
• Return and Emigration of Asylum Seekers ex-Belgium (REAB)
• Reintegration Assistance Switzerland (RAS)

Facilitating Migration

IOM Islamabad is providing support through various resettlement and family reunification projects to refugees and other migrants. Family reunification and resettlement to countries including Australia, Canada, the United States of America, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom are one of the major activities of the mission. The respective governments utilize IOM services and expertise in order to ensure safe movement of refugees who have been accepted for resettlement. Under the refugee resettlement programme, IOM carries out pre-departure cultural orientation sessions for migrants going to Canada and Australia. The orientations facilitate the migrants on a transition into a new culture that is entirely different from their own.

Main Projects

• United States Resettlement Programme
• Canada Refugee Programme
• Resettlement of Refugees and Migrants to European and other Western Countries
• Cultural Orientation Abroad
• Australian Cultural Orientation

Migration Research

IOM Pakistan has successfully completed a research project on remittances focusing on Pakistani labour migrants in Saudi Arabia. The project aimed to determine the nature, use and development impact of remittances sent by Pakistani labour workers in Saudi Arabia to their households back in the country. The data, generated through interviews with more than 500 migrant-sending households, helped accurately estimate the size of remittance flows to Pakistan as well as document other aspects of this monetary flow, including frequency, transfer channels and the ways in which remittances are used by recipient households. The research conducted by employing services of a seasoned research analyst was published in a study – Economic and Social Impact of Remittances on Households: The case of Pakistani migrants working in Saudi Arabia. The study was launched in a formal ceremony and disseminated among all relevant stakeholders; government and policy-making circles. Media coverage ensured proper dissemination in the concerned circles. A documentary is currently under way to convey salient features of the study and highlight development aspects of remittances.

Main Project

• A Study of Remittance Flows from Overseas Workers in Saudi Arabia to Asian Sending Countries and Impact on Two Countries of Origin - Pakistan

Last updated:
Main text: April 2011
Facts and figures: April 2011