Geneva - More than 70,000 migrants have been assisted with comprehensive protection services and humanitarian assistance in the first two years of the Cooperation on Migration and Partnerships for Sustainable Solutions (COMPASS) project, a global initiative of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands.  

Support to migrants ranges from direct and comprehensive humanitarian assistance, including healthcare and psychosocial support, to legal assistance and counselling, as well as the voluntary, safe, and dignified return of migrants to their countries of origin.   

Launched in 2021, in partnership with 14 countries, COMPASS is designed to enhance access to protection-sensitive migration pathways and empower of migrants of all genders and diverse groups, enabling them to contribute to sustainable development in their communities.  

“COMPASS represents a fundamental change in the way we address migration challenges,” said Yitna Getachew, Head of the Protection Division at IOM. “We are forging a new path towards protection and sustainable solutions for migrants.”  

Effective coordination and capacity building remain crucial aspects of COMPASS, as it fosters collective efforts among government entities, UN agencies, and NGO partners. Close collaboration with local stakeholders ensures that COMPASS activities are tailored to the needs of migrants and their communities. In 2022, the initiative trained more than 1,500 government officials and stakeholders on migration management and migrant assistance, resulting in an 86 per cent satisfaction rate among surveyed people questioned about the quality of services they received. 

COMPASS also works directly with community members to promote safe migration among youth in communities with high mobility, reaching over 15,000 young people in 2022 alone. 

“The COMPASS initiative demonstrates our commitment to a holistic and inclusive approach to migration governance,” stated Warner Ten Kate, Head of the Migration and Development Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands. “Through sustained cooperation and strategic investments, we can contribute to a more secure and prosperous future for migrants.” 

As the initiative enters the next phase, IOM aims to further enhance migrant protection with a particular focus on specialized protection, promoting safe migration pathways including through addressing the issue of legal identity, and continuing to invest in localization and sustainable solutions in the heart of communities. 

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For more information please visit:  www.iom.int/compass-year-two 

For media inquiries, please contact: compass@iom.int.