A live video conference on 17 April will link representatives of
the Vietnamese diaspora in the United Kingdom and migrants who have
chosen to return to Vietnam under IOM's Voluntary Assisted Return
and Reintegration Programme (VARRP).

The one-hour live link will allow returnees to share their
experiences of return with representatives of the diaspora to
promote a better understanding of the option of assisted voluntary
return and reintegration.

The conference will also feature "video stories of returns" from
Vietnamese returnees who have recently received assistance from
IOM.

Similar information days held by IOM in the UK in the past
– including more recently a live video conference between
members of the Colombian diaspora in the UK and Colombian returnees
– have been instrumental in promoting a better understanding
not only of assisted voluntary return and reintegration but also in
fostering stronger links with community organizations in the
UK.

Since the start of IOM's VARRP programme in the UK in 1999, more
than 27,000 migrants have been helped to return voluntarily to
about 130 countries. The VARRP programme offers reintegration
support that includes activities such as help to set up a business,
education, vocational training or job placement. Returnees can also
be assisted with additional luggage allowance, temporary
accommodation, training and childcare.

For further information, please contact:

Julia Hartlieb

IOM London

Tel: +44 (0)20 78081070

E-mail: "mailto:jhartlieb@iom.int">jhartlieb@iom.int