International Organization for Migration (Italy)

IOM’s Mission in Italy serves as the coordinating office for the Mediterranean countries, both in operational terms and in terms of developing strategies for the management of migration flows.

Activities cover different areas of intervention, such as technical cooperation, counter-trafficking and assistance to victims, migration and development, labour and circular migration, assisted voluntary returns including reintegration in the countries of origin, facilitating family reunification through DNA testing, public information activities to promote a better understanding of the migration phenomenon, research initiatives, medical work including the prevention of the spread of disease and facilitation of information and access to public health care by immigrants in Italy.

IOM Rome promotes dialogue through workshops and international seminars on migration-related topics; develops information and training programmes for officials and practitioners; performs pilot projects for selective migration (identification and skills’ assessment of potential migrants in areas of major migration pressure); and elaborates orientation and integration modules for migrant workers.

IOM is also present in Lampedusa (along with UNHCR, Save the Children and the Italian Red Cross) and at landing sites in Sicily and at the reception centers in Trapani, Caltanissetta, Siracusa, where it provides information to migrants on their rights and on any risks connected with illegal stay in Italy (e.g., moonlighting, trafficking and sexual exploitation). IOM also works in reception centers in Puglia.