IOM Chief’s Visit to Guatemala Highlights Urgent Needs for People Returning Home
Guatemala City, 14 March 2025 - Amid a sharp increase in southbound migration, International Organization for Migration (IOM) Director General Amy Pope visited Guatemala this week to reaffirm IOM’s commitment to supporting people caught in crisis, providing life-saving humanitarian assistance, and advancing sustainable solutions that ensure people can build a future back home.
During this first official visit to Guatemala, DG Pope met with President Bernardo Arévalo and Vice President Karin Herrera to discuss migration management, regional cooperation, and support for Guatemalan returnees in line with the Guatemalan government’s National Return Home Plan (Plan Retorno al Hogar). These discussions underscored the critical role of coordinated efforts in addressing migration challenges and ensuring returning migrants receive the assistance they need to reintegrate with dignity.
“More people are returning home, often under incredibly difficult circumstances,” said DG Pope. “IOM is committed to ensuring that return is safe and dignified while strengthening the conditions that allow people to build a future where they are. That’s why IOM is working closely with the Guatemalan government and other partners to make sure that returning home isn’t just a moment—it’s the start of something better.”
In recent weeks, southbound migration has surged, with 65% of migrants recorded on irregular routes in Guatemala traveling south. Many face extreme hardship, requiring urgent humanitarian assistance, reintegration support, and safe return options. IOM’s Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR) programs are playing a critical role in supporting this shift, facilitating safe returns from key transit points and responding to emerging migration routes through the Guna Yala territory.
Through partnerships with governments, donors, and the private sector, IOM remains committed to meeting the urgent needs of people on the move while advancing long-term solutions that address the root causes of migration and promote stability.
For more information, please contact:
In Guatemala: Melisa Kljuca, mkljuca@iom.int
In Panamá: Jorge Gallo, jgallo@iom.int
In Geneva: Daniela Rovina, drovina@iom.int
