The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has said they are looking into the possibility of additional support to facilitate the safe return of Bangladesh nationals and ensure that a safe passage home is available to those left vulnerable in Lebanon. The government of Bangladesh, earlier, sought support from the IOM which is part of the United Nations system and stands as the leading intergovernmental organization in the field of migration. Another batch of 58 individuals is expected to arrive in Bangladesh on October 23. The flight with the first batch of evacuees arrived in Dhaka Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport via Jeddah on Monday, with a group comprising 54 individuals, including 20 women and 8 children.  IMO Secretary General in Dhaka; will deliver lecture at MoFA today These evacuees are among approximately 1,800 Bangladeshi nationals who have expressed their wish to voluntarily return due to the deteriorating security conditions in Lebanon.  IOM’s acting Chief of Mission in Bangladesh Fathima Nusrath Ghazzali said the efforts of the government of Bangladesh to evacuate its nationals is commendable and IOM stands committed to support the Bangladeshi authorities in these humanitarian efforts.  "IOM is exploring potential avenues to extend additional support for vulnerable Bangladeshi nationals in Lebanon at soonest," she said.  Upon arrival at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, the returnees were provided with immediate assistance by IOM, including food, brief medical assessment, and onward transportation support to ensure safe travel to their place of origin.  Amidst the escalating conflict in Lebanon, the government of Bangladesh has initiated efforts to evacuate Bangladeshi nationals stranded in vulnerable situations.  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) and the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment (MoEWOE) are partnering in supporting the evacuation of vulnerable Bangladeshi nationals and are being supported by the International Organization for Migration with assistance with General Security in Lebanon and immediate assistance upon arrival in Bangladesh with the financial support from the European Union. UN unanimously adopts Bangladesh’s Resolution on Culture of Peace Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul shared their commitment and said the government will repatriate all the stranded migrants with government cost, from war ridden Lebanon and will rehabilitate them as required. The government of Bangladesh and IOM are "strongly committed" to facilitating the safe return of Bangladeshi nationals at the earliest.  IOM has to date collaborated with the Government of Bangladesh to safely return more than 150,000 of its nationals from conflict situations in the past including the Gulf crisis, Libya and more recently Sudan.  The situation in Lebanon remains tense, with many areas affected by ongoing airstrikes, severely impacting the safety of civilians, including migrant communities, according to the IOM.  The government of Bangladesh is closely monitoring the situation, issuing necessary instructions to ensure the safety of those remaining in Lebanon, and will continue to provide support to repatriate stranded Bangladeshi nationals.

UN agencies have urged the countries in the region to share responsibility to protect refugees saying this human tragedy will continue to unfold over and over again unless there are collective efforts to address interlocking issues.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM), the UN Migration Agency, donated a 16-seat microbus to Cox’s Bazar’s DC College -- a well-known educational institution in the district -- as a part of stepped-up efforts to support the host community.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) says it has expanded the scope of its Global Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan (SPRP) to include far-reaching interventions that aim to mitigate the health and socioeconomic impacts of coronavirus pandemic.   A revised appeal was launched in Geneva, seeking $499 million to support vital preparedness, response and recovery activities in more than 140 countries, reports UN News.    The new plan broadens IOM’s approach to encompass COVID-19 mitigation efforts in humanitarian settings, and numerous other contexts where people on the move are likely to be gravely affected by the pandemic.   “IOM is calling for greater commitment from international donors that will allow us to better alleviate the dire effects that COVID-19 is having on some of the world’s most vulnerable communities,” OM Director General António Vitorino said Wednesday.    According to the World Health Organization (WHO), as of Wednesday, more than 1.9 million coronavirus cases and over 123,000 deaths have been reported worldwide.    After the WHO declared the crisis a pandemic on 11 March, it caused a sharp increase in movement restrictions. IOM has been working with governments and partners to ensure that migrants, returnees and forcibly displaced persons, are included in local, national and regional preparedness, response and recovery efforts.   IOM said migrants will remain among the most vulnerable to the loss of economic opportunities, eviction and homelessness, as well as stigmatisation and exclusion from essential services.    This will have a particularly drastic effect in countries where migrant workers contribute to poverty reduction.   Millions of displaced and migrant populations living in camps and overcrowded settings, many of whom are caught in conflict, are highly vulnerable due to limited access to services and knowledge on how to protect themselves and their loved ones.     “When migrants and displaced communities are excluded from national response plans and services, particularly health care, everyone is at greater risk,” said Vitorino. “We also need to anticipate and prepare for the potentially dire economic consequences for migrants, host and source countries.”

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said on Sunday that more than 400 illegal immigrants were sent back to Libya after being taken by Libyan coast guards over the past 24 hours.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) on Sunday said that a total of 78 illegal immigrants have been rescued by the Libyan navy off western Libyan coast.