Tehran - The International Organization for Migration (IOM) in the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) met on June 21, 2023, to explore avenues for enhanced collaboration in migration, humanitarian assistance, and emergency response. 

Sarah Arriola, IOM Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, Lalini Veerassamy, IOM Chief of Mission in the Islamic Republic of Iran, Pirhossein Kolivand, Head of the Red Crescent Society of the Islamic Republic of Iran and Atta Dorani, ‎IFRC Programme ‎Coordination ‎and Cooperation manager for Iran, participated in the meeting. 

The participants engaged in fruitful discussions covering a wide range of topics of mutual interest, which included health, support for migrants with disabilities, climate change, emergency response and preparedness, as well as protecting family links. 

RD Arriola commended the pivotal role of the IRCS as a key actor in Iran and expressed optimism for future collaboration.  

"The IRCS operates extensively throughout the nation, and we aspire to establish cooperative endeavours with them in the future since both organizations share many common objectives," she said, adding that "our goal is to leverage this collaboration to provide assistance to nearly five million migrants in Iran, particularly in the field of Health Emergency Response where IOM has an excellent reputation." 

Veerassamy emphasized the importance of utilizing IOM tools, such as the Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM), for evidence-based policymaking and programming. She stressed the significance of upholding humanitarian principles.  

"We are utilizing various methods, such as DTM, in different regions of the world to uncover hidden layers of vulnerability and obtain a comprehensive overview of needs in each country," Veerassamy highlighted. "One of the primary objectives of IOM Iran is to ensure that humanitarian assistance is always available and consistent with humanitarian principles. This is a core value that we adhere to." 

Kolivand praised IOM for its continuous support and expressed enthusiasm for engaging in constructive dialogue, knowledge sharing, and disseminating best practices with IOM to pursue common objectives. He also underscored the extensive network of volunteers that IRCS possesses throughout the country, emphasizing its capacity to provide assistance to migrants and refugees. 

As part of the visit, the IOM delegation toured the Helal factory, operated by IRCS, which manufactures essential humanitarian supplies such as tents, blankets, and other items. 

The meeting concluded with a commitment to strengthen collaboration between IOM and IRCS and identify new opportunities for joint action in alignment with their respective mandates. To this end, both organizations will develop a work plan based on the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between them. 

This visit formed a crucial part of a significant five-day mission, during which RD Arriola visited the Saveh and Torbat-e-Jam settlements, where IOM Iran is actively engaged in projects focused on enhancing sanitation facilities and livelihoods for migrants.  

She also held meetings with multiple Iranian officials from the Bureau for Aliens and Foreign Immigrants Affairs (BAFIA) and the National Organization for Migration, in addition to meeting ambassadors and representatives from the Economic Cooperation Organization. 

Throughout her visit, RD Arriola reaffirmed IOM's unwavering commitment to provide comprehensive and effective support to migrants and people in need across the country. She also underscored the importance of fostering collaborations with the Iranian government, which has implemented inclusive policies toward displaced populations and is currently hosting over 5 million migrants. 

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For more information, please contact Teresa Trallori at IOM Iran at ttrallori@iom.int.