The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Federal Republic of Germany are celebrating 70 years of partnership in supporting humane, safe, and orderly migration. Since IOM opened its office in Germany in 1954, this partnership has been instrumental in addressing global migration challenges and promoting positive change for migrants and communities. The collaboration between IOM and Germany is a testament to the importance of international cooperation in supporting the world’s most vulnerable populations. 

To mark this occasion, IOM Germany organized a photo exhibition in Geneva, showcasing seven decades of impactful work. The exhibition highlights key moments and stories of resilience, the contributions migrants have made over the years, illustrating the profound impact of migration on communities and nations.   

Exhibition Photos "70 Years IOM Germany"

German emigrants board an ICEM chartered flight to the United States in 1957.

German emigrants board an ICEM chartered flight to the United States in 1957. Cooperation between Germany and IOM dates to 1951, when Germany was one of the founding signatories of the Provisional Intergovernmental Committee for the Movement of Migrants from Europe (PICMME), later renamed the Intergovernmental Committee for European Migration (ICEM). Germany ratified the ICEM constitution in 1954 and thus became a formal member.  It was not until 1989 that IOM adopted its current name to better reflect its mandate and objectives.  © IOM 

An IOM employee on the phone with a migrant

Virtual Counselling, a flagship project by IOM, was launched in Germany in 2019. Funded by the German Federal Office for Migration and Refugees, it offers migrants virtual return and reintegration counselling from IOM staff globally. Available in 23 countries, it empowers migrants to return with dignity by providing information in their native language. © IOM / Amanda Nero 

A woman in Afghanistan

“Before, frequent floods often destroyed my crops. This year, thanks to the wall, our wheat production has increased significantly,” said Gul, a 70-year-old community member in Herat, Afghanistan. Severe flooding forced her to seek refuge in nearby villages like Karez Naw. Today, she feels safe staying in her own home thanks to the flood protection wall built by IOM, funded by the KFW German Development Bank and Japan. © IOM / Mohammad Osman Azizi

A father with a child

Resettlement is a journey of hope and resilience. It's about embracing a future filled with possibilities. In Germany, IOM works with the Federal Government, Federal States, UNHCR, and other partners to provide solutions for refugees and migrants. This includes offering activities that emphasize protection throughout the resettlement process and Humanitarian Admission programmes. Since 2021, IOM Germany supported over 6,411 migrants through Resettlement programme and over 8,614 through Humanitarian admission programmes. © IOM 

Projects in Bangladesh

With German support, IOM conducted slope stabilization work under site development intervention in the world’s largest refugee settlement, Rohingya refugee camps, in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. © IOM  

A man with a bike

Dler returned to Iraq from Germany and opened a bicycle repair shop with the support of a return and reintegration project in the Kurdistan Regional Government area. Funded by the German Federal Office for Migration and Refugees, IOM Germany implements return and reintegration programmes such as REAG/GARP (1979-2023) and StarthilfePlus, and provides both virtual and in-person counselling. © IOM  

A woman with her adult son in Chad

“Our lives today cannot be compared to yesterday,” says Ngala, a farmer in Faya who grows carrots, beetroot, onions and other crops. “Everything is better now!”. Ngala has benefited from IOM’s Community Gardens Initiative in northern Chad, supported by the German Federal Foreign Office, which includes scaling irrigation to enhance agricultural productivity. © IOM / François-Xavier Ada 

A woman with a horse

Learning to ride horses while sharing personal stories of resilience - families of veterans in Ukraine were able to find much-needed joy and support from one another. The event was organized by IOM Ukraine as part of the Path of Resilience project, with support from the German Federal Foreign Office. © IOM / Anna Tsybko    

A woman knitting

A Yazidi woman knitting at an IOM MHPSS Centre in the Sharia IDP camp, Duhok Governorate, Iraq. Together with partners, IOM is committed to support the Yazidi community as they recover from the trauma of the genocide 10 years ago. © IOM / Anjam Rasool 

A family together

“Thanks to this shelter, we can start our lives again.” In 2019, Ahmad fled his home in Syria and was displaced. He lived in a tent that lacked dignified living conditions for four years. IOM and partners, with support from the German Federal Foreign Office, replaced 2,020 tents with dignified shelters. © IOM

A family reunited

Every family reunited is a testament to the power of compassion and the importance of safe and regular migration pathways. With support of the German Federal Foreign Office, IOM's Family Assistance Programme has welcomed more than 470,000 beneficiaries since launching in 2016 and has remotely assisted an additional 200,000 people. © IOM