After almost three years as a migrant in Greece and later in Kosovo, Karrar Alzeyadi is heading back home to his family in Iraq with IOM’s Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR) Program support.  His flight to Baghdad was suspended twice due to the coronavirus pandemic. The third attempt is bound to result in success.

“I left my home city of Dewanie in search for better opportunities but trying to reach Europe proved to be very different from what I had imagined,” said Karrar.   

Karrar has made friends during his stay in Kosovo but says he has not been successful in reaching his destination, which is one of the developed European countries. For some migrants, returning home is a logical, viable and desirable option.

“It has been a difficult journey, and one that I will never do again. I have told my friends that I am returning home, and that no one should attempt to leave like I did. What we see on television about Europe is not true,” said the young Iraqi. “But also, what you see on television about Iraq is also not true. You need to come and see for yourself.”

After a year at the Kosovo asylum centre in Magure, the 25-year old decided to sign up for IOM support to return home voluntarily. For migrants who need to return to their home country but lack the means to do so, IOM’s AVRR programmes are often the only solution to their immediate plight. This means that upon Karrar’s arrival in Baghdad, he will be met there by IOM representatives working in Iraq, for receiving further counselling on reintegration support at home.

Back in Dewanie, Karrar used to work in a design and printing house, a job he would still like to pursue once he returns, with the support of IOM.

“I miss my Mom’s food the most, and my friends,” he said, explaining that he is part of a large family of four brothers and four sisters. Although admitting there will be challenges for him upon his return, Karrar will be putting his best food forward and is hoping for a fresh start. 

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs about 2,508 migrants and asylum seekers have registered in Kosovo from January to October 2020.

IOM Kosovo will continue to assist migrants, providing a dignified return and fostering the sustainable reintegration of migrants who are unable or unwilling to remain in host countries and wish to return voluntarily to their countries of origin.