IOM in Iran

The Islamic Republic of Iran joined the International Organization for Migration (IOM) as an observer in 1995 and became a full member in 2001. IOM mission in Iran was established in 1991 and a cooperation agreement with the Government was signed in September 2002. Since 2004, IOM has adopted a guiding programme/policy-oriented approach with the purpose of assisting Iran in migration management issues and tackling the challenges which the country faces.

Iran is a country of origin, transit, and destination for migrants, including internal migrants, due to its geopolitics, demographics and economic conditions.

Iran hosts one of the largest migrants and refugees populations in the world, the majority of whom come from Afghanistan. According to government sources, the country is host to approximately 4.5 million Afghans, including 750,000 Afghan nationals holding registration cards (Amayesh cardholders), 360,000 holding passports, 270,000 holding residence permits, 2.6 million individuals who registered through government-led headcount exercises, as well as a hard to estimate number of undocumented Afghans. 96% of Afghan migrants live in urban areas alongside the host community, while the remaining 4% reside in 20 government-operated settlements.

The country also confronts diverse types of irregular migration, with transit migration often associated with human trafficking and smuggling of migrants.

In this context, IOM's programming in Iran aims to improve the well-being and resilience of vulnerable communities, facilitate safe and orderly migration, and support the country's efforts towards enhancing sustainable outcomes.

IOM prioritizes sectors of intervention and specific activities in support of humanitarian and development outcomes by closely liaising with governmental authorities in Iran.

These activities include the provision of health assistance, protection services, and in-kind and cash-based assistance to vulnerable population. IOM is also implementing an Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR) programme, as well as Resettlement activities. Moreover, it is active in strengthening border governance infrastructures and in mitigating the risk of trafficking in persons, as well as fostering community engagement programmes catered towards migrants and host communities.

IOM Iran and Donors

IOM's main financial resources come directly from various donors, including governments, intergovernmental bodies, civil society as well as the private sector.

Major donors of IOM Iran are:

• The European Union, which supports IOM Iran as part of a regional project to support displaced Afghans in Pakistan, Iran, Central Asia, and Afghanistan, including an allocation of USD 1, 133,255 for Iran.
• Italy, which supports IOM Iran in the fields of Integrated Border Governance and Counter-Trafficking, Protection and Women Empowerment, Resettlement, WASH and Health Infrastructure, Livelihood, and additional Multi-Sectoral Assistance, with a total contribution of EUR 6,540,714. More information on projects financed by Italy can be found here.
• Japan, which supports IOM Iran in the fields of emergency humanitarian assistance, including health and WASH, and of evidence-based programmes and data analysis, with a total contribution of USD 450.000. More information on projects financed by Japan can be found here.

Additional projects and interventions have been implemented with the support of Germany, Austria, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Switzerland, UK, and through the IOM Development Fund, the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), and the One UN Impact Fund.

Multiple projects implemented by IOM Iran fall under IOM’s Comprehensive Action Plan (CAP) for Afghanistan and Neighbouring Countries, which seeks to mobilize USD 1.040 billion to further expand its operations addressing the humanitarian and protection needs of affected populations in the region, whilst strengthening the resilience of Afghans and host communities to reduce displacement risks and help people and communities to transition and recover.

IOM Iran is also part of the interagency Regional Refugee Response Plan 2023 for Afghanistan Situation, which targets 7.9 million people across five neighbouring refugee-hosting countries (Iran, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan), in support of host governments.