IOM integration programme beneficiary working in a green house; small business started with Korean Embassy support and IOM assistance (2010)

The IOM Mission in Ukraine was established in 1996, when Ukraine became an observer state of IOM. In 2001, Ukraine requested membership in IOM, which was formalized with the Ukrainian Parliament’s ratification in 2002. IOM enjoys similar privileges and immunities as a UN Specialized Agency despite not being a UN Agency, and is part of the UN Country Team in Ukraine.

In line with IOM’s global strategy, IOM Ukraine is engaged all key objectives of the Organization and aims at advancing the understanding of the opportunities and challenges of migration in the Ukrainian context.

Maximizing those opportunities and minimizing the challenges accompanied with migratory movements are the guiding principles of all activities and programmes the Mission is engages in.

In doing so, the IOM Mission in Ukraine continues to fight trafficking in human beings, assisting the Government in dealing with irregular migration, improving its migration management system, and creating migrant-inclusive health practices and policies.

At the same time, IOM Ukraine engages in exploring and promoting regular channels for Ukrainian labour migrants, harnessing the development potential of migration, and integration of ethnic minorities, promoting the benefits of cultural diversity, and counteracting xenophobia and intolerance.

In all its programming, IOM Ukraine strives to uphold and improve the quality of its interventions, so as to ensure the highest standards in aid-effectiveness and efficiency, sustainability and value for money.

During the last 15 years of presence in Ukraine IOM has assisted over 300,000 migrants, potential migrants, victims of trafficking, and other vulnerable groups, directly or through its project partners.