Just to give you advance notice that the International Organisation for Migration (IOM)is going to run an advertising campaign on the buses linked to their voluntary return packages.
It will be running adverts in 50% of buses in London, Glasgow, Birmingham,
Sheffield, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle. The adverts will be on the inside
of the bus for four weeks starting beginning January.
The advert will be fairly general and brief due to amount of information
that can be included, along the lines of :
'Need help to go home? IOM can assist if you overstayed your visa, are an
asylum seeker, were smuggled or trafficked in to the country. Call us free
on 0800 783 2332 or visit our website
www.iomlondon.org ' There will be
pictures of reintegration beneficiaries.
IOM run the VARRP package (Voluntary Assisted Return and Reintegration Programme) that is open to asylum seekers, those whose applications for asylum have been refused and people with exceptional leave to remain, discretionary and humanitarian leave.
IOM has also just started its AVRIM package (Assisted Voluntary Return of Irregular Migrants)for overstayers and others in breach of immigration rules.
IOM also play a part in the Voluntary Returns to Afghanistan Programme. It registers and processes applications, organises the logistics of the return and offers reintegration assistance in Afghanistan.
Any thoughts or comments you have, do let me know.
A complementary campaign on integration or highlighting the proud tradition of offering refuge will no doubt follow...
