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IOM will contribute to alleviate human suffering and uphold the dignity and rights of crisis-affected populations in Iran by delivering tailored assistance to address basic needs, including cash support, shelter, healthcare, mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), and WASH services. These activities will ensure equitable access to basic needs for displaced individuals, host communities, and populations on the move. To reduce threats and vulnerabilities, IOM will collaborate with national stakeholders and international partners to enhance migration and border management systems, implement protection mechanisms such as referral pathways, and promote evidence-based responses based on an assessment of migration trends, including the root causes and drivers of migration. IOM will also improve the quality and impact of humanitarian assistance by fostering coordination among relevant stakeholders, strengthening the capacity of national partners to sustain protection responses. These efforts aim to contribute to creating a safe, dignified environment in settlements and urban/rural areas, integrating protection measures and supporting both the immediate and long-term needs of crisis-affected populations. Guided by a rights-based, protection-centred approach, IOM will provide tailored support to vulnerable populations, enhancing coordination platforms and referral mechanisms. Recognizing Iran’s unique migration dynamics, IOM will prioritize evidence-based approaches, tailoring interventions based on mobility trends, vulnerabilities, and community needs. IOM upholds accountability and engages with governmental agencies to strengthen localized response planning and delivery.
Driving solutions to displacement

IOM will continue to focus on enhancing access to services for displaced populations and marginalized groups through integrated approaches that align with local development priorities. These efforts will ensure long-term solutions, enabling displaced populations and communities to live in a more inclusive and stable environment. Acknowledging Iran's complex migration dynamics and the protracted displacement of Afghan populations, IOM Iran will continue to enhance the resilience and self-reliance of displaced populations and host communities by fostering skills development, sustainable livelihoods, and economic opportunities, particularly for marginalized groups. This focus includes supporting government initiatives and collaborating with the private sector to mobilize resources, expertise, and innovation, ensuring access to sustainable employment and promoting economic stability for migrants and host communities. IOM will collaborate with national partners to build technical capacities, expand market access, support sustainable livelihoods, and implement programmes that create pathways for economic inclusion. Enhancing social cohesion, public infrastructure, and access to services will be integral to IOM’s approach. By addressing barriers to livelihoods and improving public infrastructure, IOM will also contribute to fostering social cohesion and reducing tensions between communities. Additionally, IOM will focus on preparedness and risk reduction, particularly in relation to the occurrence of large-scale disasters and the impact of climate change, ultimately minimizing drivers and structural factors that compel people to leave their homes.
Facilitating pathways for regular migration

IOM Iran will support the development of crisis-responsive, sustainable channels for regular migration by enhancing skills mobility, facilitating access to legal identity, and strengthening migration governance frameworks to address the challenges of displacement and irregular migration. IOM is co-leading a newly established inter-agency working group on legal identity under the RRP, aimed at analysing latest developments around the access to legal identity, advocacy, and facilitating access to regularization. Collaborating with government and private sector partners, IOM will promote initiatives that match labor market needs with migrant skills, improve access to legal identity documentation, and streamline visa and regularization processes. Efforts will include capacity-strengthening for government actors and private sector stakeholders to promote ethical recruitment principles, preventing exploitation, forced labour, and human trafficking. Additionally, IOM will foster evidence-based policies and raise awareness about safe and regular migration pathways. These activities aim to reduce irregular migration, promote economic opportunities, and enhance the inclusion and protection of crisis-affected migrants within host communities.

Iran (Islamic Republic of)
The map used here is for illustration purposes only. Names and boundaries do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by IOM.
Figures are as of 31 December 2023. For more details of IOM's operational capacity in country, please see the IOM Capacity section.