Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR) is a program that has been implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) for some time, and since the beginning of 2023, 15 people have applied for this program, while four people returned to their countries of origin, one to Burundi and one to Pakistan, and two to China, IOM confirmed for FENA.
The AVRR program provides administrative, logistical, and financial support to migrants, including assistance in reintegration, for those who cannot or do not want to stay in the country they are currently staying and decide to return to their country of origin.
All returnees receive financial assistance immediately after leaving BiH, and in cooperation with the IOM AVRR team in the country of origin, the assistance continues even after their return. An important aspect of the program is the creation of prerequisites for successful reintegration into the local community after the return.
“In this regard, we are working with each individual to create an individual plan for returning that enables the person to use certain funds upon return to start a small business, education, treatment and housing,” the IOM explains.
In 2022, 128 persons from BiH voluntarily returned to their countries of origin through the IOM AVRR program. The largest number of returns were made to India, Pakistan and Cuba. The program has been implemented in Bosnia and Herzegovina since 2018, and to date a total of 1,328 people have voluntarily returned to their countries of origin.
According to the IOM, the migration situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina is currently under control, and 1,056 migrants are currently housed in four temporary reception centers.
