International Organization for Migration Missions in Germany and Iraq
A Bakery in Erbil
The story of Mshtak I., voluntary returnee under the IOM project “KRG Reintegration for Returnees from Germany”
Mshtak I., 39 years old, decided to
return to his family living in Erbil, Iraq.
The
family
father
applied
for
assistance under the IOM project “KRG
Reintegration
for
Returnees
from
Germany”.
IOM successfully assisted him with his
economic reintegration.
now
employs
Mshtak I.
four workers
in
his
bakery and seeks to train others to
become bakers.
Mhstak I. left Iraq with his ten year old
daughter in the hope of finding a
better future for himself and his family
in Germany.
After his arrival in Germany, he
applied for asylum. The family man
hoped that his wife and his other
children would soon be able to join
him. However, due to German
immigration laws this proved to be
very difficult.
After residing in an asylum seeker
home for numerous months, he
decided to return home to his family
Mhstak I. receives sacks of flour.
“The income from the bakery allows me to
financially support, my wife and my four
children.”
in Iraq. He sought to build a new life in
Erbil and secure a livelihood for himself
and his family.
In the asylum seeker residence, a
social worker recommended him to
apply for reintegration assistance in
the frame of the project “KRG
Reintegration for Returnees from
Germany”.
With the help of a return counselling
center, he applied for assistance. Before
his departure Mhstak I. was counselled
by IOM regarding his social and
economic reintegration possibilities.
The baker forms bread.
“I am happy that I chose to return and be
with my family again.”
A Baker and a Businessman
“I recommend everyone to return through IOM’s Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration
programme.”
Mhstak I. returned with his daughter to
Iraq in late 2013. In Erbil, an IOM
reintegration expert counselled and
supported
him
in
forming
his
reintegration plan, to open a bakery.
IOM considered his plan as feasible,
especially as he had many years of
experience as a baker. He therefore
received a reintegration package in
the value of EUR 5,000 to purchase a
first large stock of flour.
Mhstak I. has opened his shop in the
city centre of Erbil. He now not only
serves walk-in customers but also
regularly supplies five restaurants. He
employs four staff members and
hopes to open a second bakery with
automatic ovens and modern
machinery soon.
The income of his bakery financially
supports the returnee and his family.
In the near future Mhstak I. would like
to
train
others in
becoming
successful bakers.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Contact IOM Germany
Phone: +49 911 4300 128 - [email protected] - http://germany.iom.int
Mhstak I. places bread into the oven.