Previous evaluations of the Information, Reintegration and Return of Afghan Nationals to Afghanistan (IRRANA) programme and the Information, Reintegration and Return of Iraqi Nationals to Iraq (IRRINI) programme have provided comprehensive introductions to the literature on migration and assisted return. Therefore, such a literature overview is left out in this study, though relevant literature is referenced as relevant in each chapter. The team prioritized a thorough (and thus longer) presentation and analysis of each case, in order to better facilitate a qualitative cross-country comparison, which is one of the main objectives of this study. Portions of the data collected, along with analysis from Norway, are presented in a separate report (Brekke 2015). This introduction presents the different types of assistance and an overview of what is provided in each of the country studies.
UDI presents the rationale for the return assistance on its home page, stating that “those staying in Norway without a valid stay permit or citizens from selected countries with a residence permit can apply to be assisted to return home by Norwegian authorities.” 56 Key aims of such assistance are to motivate assisted return from Norway, assist in the application processes, provide transport back to country of origin and, once returned, provide material support to reintegration in the returnees’ community. For some countries, UDI has developed a specific country programme and three of those programmes are included in this study: IRRANA, IRRINI and Assisted Return to Ethiopia (ARE). Those wishing to return to other countries can apply for Financial Support to Return (FSR). UDI also has a separate return programme for vulnerable groups (VG) directed towards victims of trafficking, unaccompanied minors and persons with health problems. Families with children also receive additional return support.
The types of assistance and amounts provided vary between countries and are described in detail as part of each country case, but the next two subsections outline the basic types of support.
In Norway
Information about the possibility for applying for assisted return is directed towards asylum seekers living in reception centres and those living in private accommodations. The IOM has a major role in providing general and country specific information at reception centres, where reception staff also hold mandatory advisory meetings with all asylum seekers regarding assisted return. The IOM also provides information to those seeking details about returning to specific countries, or about the assistance available to different groups of potential beneficiaries.
When an individual decides to apply for assisted return, the IOM or the staff at the reception centres can assist in the process. The IOM handles the application process, but UDI makes the final decision and verifies the applicant’s eligibility for the support and for leaving Norway.
If approved, the IOM will proceed with assisting returnees with their travel documents and arranging their return travel. This also includes eventual travels within Norway. The IOM’s country offices will also be informed about the returnee(s) and their potential need for medical attention, preference for in-kind assistance and eligibility for other types of support. IOM staff will also be at the airport when the returnee leaves Norway and available to assist in transit countries.
56 See http://www.udi.no/en/return/
In country of return
Upon their return to their country of origin, the kinds of assistance returnees can apply for and receive will differ. Cash on arrival is, however, common in all programmes.
Financial Support to Return (FSR) is the general return programme for asylum seekers and irregular migrants of various nationalities. The cash grant varies between 10,000 and 20,000 Norwegian crowns (NOK), depending on the legal status of the person applying for the support. Those who apply for assisted return within the deadline of assigned departure stipulated by the Norwegian authorities (or before one has been set) can receive NOK 20,000. Those who apply within two months after the deadline can receive NOK 15,000. Those who apply after that can receive NOK 10,000. Moreover, migrants with Dublin status may receive NOK 10,000 upon return to country of origin, and all families travelling with children are eligible to receive an additional cash grant of NOK 10,000 per child. The purpose of the cash support is both to incentivise return and to facilitate reintegration into the local community. The IOM implements the programme and offers follow up and monitoring for 4–6 weeks after arrival, though UDI can upon application and in exceptional cases approve to extent the follow-up until 1 year.
Country-specific assisted return programmes (such as IRRINI, IRRANA and ARRA) together include a range of different types of support, which may include any of the following:
• Cash support at arrival, aimed at assisting the returnees for the first period at place of origin.
• Transport costs to cover the returnees’ in-country cost of return to the region of origin. In addition, upon arrival in the country of original the returnee may be lodged for a period of time and receive medical attention before travelling to his or her final destination.
• Housing support for six months after return upon approval of an application to IOM Oslo.
There is a difference between countries when it comes to the applicable vulnerability criteria, funding amounts and numbers of beneficiaries supported per year.
• Vocational training for six months upon approval of an application to IOM Oslo, aimed at returnees from 18 to 30 years old. These individuals might also receive a housing allowance (if not otherwise covered) and “pocket money” for the same time period.
• Support for vulnerable groups provides assistance to trafficking victims, unaccompanied minors and those with health problems.
• In-kind assistance where the returnees can select between different types of reintegration supporting activities for a six-month period, such as assistance for establishing a business, on-the-job training or education. Beneficiaries of this type of assistance may receive goods needed to operate a business, salary while in a work placement or paid education or course. The organisation in charge of the reintegration (generally IOM, but ARRA in Ethiopia) should provide returnees with advice on choosing an option for in-kind assistance, provide returnees the in-kind assistance and monitor and follow up with returnees for a six-month period.
Business assistance, in the form of goods, is provided in two instalments, while salaries for returnees in job placements are paid monthly to the returnee and educational fees are paid directly to the institution or university offering the training.
• In some countries, an additional amount may be offered per per minor or young person returning.
• Ethiopia also has a Returnee Community Assistance Programme (RECAP) that allocates a fixed amount allocated to selected projects of benefit to the communities to which the returnee returns.
• Socio-Economic Orientation (SEO) is a one-day session organised by IOM in Iraq, where a group of returnees meet with an IOM staff employee to discuss what documents and paperwork the returnees need, their psychosocial needs, how the local labour market works and strategies for improving one’s chances of a livelihood.
The chart below provides an overview of the types of assistance the team has identified through the document review and interviews in each of the countries included in this study.
Table 3: Type of support by country
Assistance
Country In -kind support
Cash support at arrival
Housing
allowance* Vocational training*
Transport cost (in country)
Support per
minor SEO Support per young
person RCAP** VG
Afghanistan X X X X X X X
Ethiopia X X X X X
Iraqi
Kurdistan X X X X X X X X
Kosovo*** X X X
* On application, decided in Norway, vocational training only for those from 18 to 30 years old
** Support for the communities of the returnees
*** Not part of FSR after 2013, from then on only cash support