Alexander had lived in Moldova – Transnistria region. He went abroad and worked three years in various European countries as a welder, mechanic and constructions worker. He arrived in Slovakia in February in search for a job. Since he had no residence permit, the Alien police detained him and placed him in a detention centre for aliens in Secovce where he was awaiting his deportation from Slovakia. Following the information meeting during which the Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration Programme (AVRR) was presented to him, the returnee decided to return home with the assistance of IOM and registered into the AVRR programme. The information meetings on AVRR are organised by IOM staff in detention centres for aliens in Secovce and Medvedov.

IOM provided Alexander with flight tickets and organized his return. In March everything was ready and Alexander could return home. Before his departure he also elaborated a reintegration plan specifying which assistance he would receive from IOM following his arrival in Moldova. The assistance was aimed at re-opening of a welding workshop. After his return to Moldova, Alexander contacted the IOM office in Moldovan capital Chisinau and confirmed his interest in the assistance. IOM in Chisinau purchased the necessary material and tools for welding of doors and windows and other workshop equipment, as specified in the returnee’s plan. The returnee opened the workshop in his parents’ house.

Alexander has got a job now and earns a living. Local people can use his services without having to travel to other places in search of a welding workshop.

(Personal names were published with their consent. / Names were changed for protection reasons.)

To find out more about the assistance provided by IOM after the return home, please visit the website of the IOM Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration Programme.

Voluntary Return and Reintegration in Country of Origin (Individual Project). The project is co-funded by the European Union from the European Return Fund. Solidarity and Management of Migration Flows.