We met with Amanda Bay, Protection Coordinator at IOM Iraq, to learn more about safe, orderly and regular migration from a UN perspective.
What is IOM’s role in supporting countries like Iraq in managing migration?
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) works directly with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners to promote safe, orderly and regular migration. IOM does so by providing services and advice to governments, migrants and other stakeholders to maximize the benefits and opportunities of migration and reduce its challenges.
This includes strengthening national migration governance* by supporting policy development, legal frameworks, and institutional capacity, as well as managing migration flows. We work closely with different ministries, particularly the Ministry of Migration and Displacement, to operationalize national migration strategies, such as the National Plan to Promote Safe and Orderly Migration. We also collaborate with the government on humanitarian response and service provision, supporting internally displaced persons, migrants, Iraqi returnees from abroad, and host communities across the country.
We also work on various other areas such as protection, peacebuilding, building climate resilience to address climate-induce migration, migration data and analysis, and support national partners in their recovery efforts and in finding lasting solutions. Our Displacement Tracking Matrix team maps and analyzes migration and displacement trends, which supports evidence-based planning, advocacy, programming and policy development grounded in data.
Iraq's migration landscape is shaped by conflict, displacement, and return movements, as well as ongoing economic pressures and regional dynamics. While Iraq may not be a top global destination for international migrants like Europe, and it hosts a significant number of internally displaced persons, it remains a country of origin as many are seeking opportunities abroad.
How would you describe the current migration situation in Iraq, and what are the most pressing migration issues in Iraq today?
Iraq's migration landscape is shaped by conflict, displacement, and return movements, as well as ongoing economic pressures and regional dynamics. While Iraq may not be a top global destination for international migrants like Europe, and it hosts a significant number of internally displaced persons, it remains a country of origin as many are seeking opportunities abroad.
In terms of key issues, internal displacement and return linked to conflict remain major concerns. Many people still live in displacement. Much of IOM’s work focuses on supporting internally displaced people and returnees who are seeking lasting solutions, reintegration and stability.
At the same time, there are strong drivers of outward movement. Economic factors push many Iraqis to leave in search of better opportunities, not only for employment, but also for better access to education and services.
Economic factors push many Iraqis to leave in search of better opportunities, not only for employment, but also for better access to education and services.
Another key issue is the risk of irregular migration, which we continuously work to address with national and international partners. Protection risks are also a major concern. Due to challenges such as lack of civil documentation and limited access to services, we provide support and protection services to migrants and returnees coming back to Iraq. This includes legal assistance, as well as economic, social, and psychosocial support to help address their needs and reintegrate, particularly upon return.
We recognize we cannot combat every message spread by smugglers. Instead, our focus is on supporting and promoting regular pathways.
What strategies does IOM use in reducing irregular migration and promoting legal pathways?
We recognize we cannot combat every message spread by smugglers. Instead, our focus is on supporting and promoting regular pathways. This includes working with government counterparts to establish safe and regular migration channels and ensuring that they are able to share accurate and positive information about these pathways through their various communication channels.
Another important aspect is ensuring that services are available when migrants return. We supported the government in launching the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) in Baghdad and Erbil, which is now government-led and connects different service providers so that returnees can access comprehensive support, not only through IOM, but also through other government and non-government actors. The NRM has now been expanded to other key locations across Iraq. IOM also provides protection and reintegration services.
We are also working on the labour migration aspect. We understand that people have the right to migrate. In particular, for highly skilled individuals, we aim to facilitate connections with countries that have an interest in skilled workers. And to do that, there needs to be a lot of information sharing and awareness raising.
We are also working on the labour migration aspect. We understand that people have the right to migrate. In particular, for highly skilled individuals, we aim to facilitate connections with countries that have an interest in skilled workers.
Additionally, we continue to work with our national partners at the policy level. Iraq signed the Global Compact for Migration (GCM) – a non-legally binding agreement where countries work together to make migration safer and better managed for the benefit of all. As a GCM Champion Country, Iraq is advancing migration for development.
We support Iraq in aligning migration policies with international frameworks which involves capacity-building efforts, including training officials on best practices in migration governance and border management, particularly in relation to human rights and service provision.
For example, we've supported the government in terms of pushing out and implementing the National Migration Management Strategy, and the National Plan to Combat Irregular Migration.
What topics in the field of migration would you like to see more research on?
I’d be interested in understanding how smugglers always seem to know when to change tactics and how they adapt their strategies so quickly. It’s fascinating how they manage to always stay one step ahead.
*Migration governance refers to the complex framework of laws, policies, and institutions designed to manage migration.
The Delmi-project is funded by the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF).