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About the Project
The Voluntary Returnees as Messengers project aims to raise awareness among potential migrants and local communities in Iraq and Pakistan about the dangers of irregular migration routes and the realities that many irregular migrants face. The project was also implemented in Afghanistan until 2021. Through peer-to-peer awareness raising activities including video and written testimonials and community events, returned migrants share their experiences with irregular migration and voluntary return with their communities. The visualized feedback from community members shows the changes in their perceptions and level of information about irregular migration.
key findings: overall project feedback
82 %

of respondents said the testimonials positively impacted their perception of returnees

81 %

of respondents said the testimonials changed their perception about irregular migration

87 %

of respondents reported increased awareness of the risks associated with irregular migration

6 in 10 Respondents
said it is understandable and respectable on the migrants decision to return after learning about these stories

What do you think about the migrants decision to return after learning about these stories?

Understandable
992 (32%)
Respectable
882 (29%)
Critical
400 (13%)
Shameful
84 (3%)