Germany - IOM Germany has developed an online portal for migrants considering returning voluntarily to their countries. The digital platform, ‘Returning from Germany’, will serve as a one-stop-shop for all necessary information on Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR).
With information on available voluntary return programmes, addresses of nearby return-counselling centres and data on the housing situation in cities of return, ‘Returning from Germany’ offers comprehensive assistance for migrants who are interested in voluntary return.
The portal will also serve as a tool for AVRR counsellors, who must consider an increasing number of programmes and support options when providing advice to individual migrants. The online platform was created in cooperation with the German Ministry of Interior and the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) and entered the testing phase on 11 May.
With just a few clicks, migrants can learn about their options to receive individual AVRR counselling or learn what kind of support is available for them after return. The information is available in German and English – useful languages like Arabic or Serbo-Croatian will follow. The portal highlights the manifold support options for AVRR from Germany, including programmes restricted to specific federal states or municipalities. This will allow migrants to make an informed decision and access support mechanisms that are in place.
Dr. Thomas de Maizière, Federal Minister of the Interior, said: “The new online portal ‘Returning from Germany’ is an important part in the development of a nationwide return counselling structure in Germany.”
Dr. Ole Schröder, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of the Interior, explained: “With ‘Returning from Germany,’ we successfully created an easy-to-use source of information for all users, voluntary returnees as well as counsellors. Practical information including financial support, data about job markets, housing situation and medical care in the countries of origin are now readily available in a comprehensive form. The simple and information-based design can be accessed via smartphones without losing too much data volume.”
Dr. Uta Dauke, Vice President of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF), praised the added value of the portal: “Only someone who knows all the options can use them. ‘Returning from Germany’ offers easy access to information and contact details of counselling centres. Already available counselling services can be linked more efficiently.”
Monica Goracci, IOM Germany Chief of Mission added: “This portal will contribute to informed decision-making and create more transparency for migrants planning to return. Previously, migrants who researched information about support for voluntary return were confronted with a wealth of information provided by different stakeholders. The portal offers clear and easily accessible information in the language of those who are interested in returning to their countries of origin. In addition, the portal will simplify the search for the nearest counselling centre which offers individual counselling that is tailored to each person’s needs.” 
The portal can be accessed via www.ReturningfromGermany.de
For further information, please contact Sabine Lehmann, IOM Germany, Tel: +30.27877817, Email: slehmann@iom.int