International Organization for Migration Missions in Germany and Iraq
A Breath of Kurdistan Air Means the World to Me
The story of Lazgin R., voluntary returnee under the IOM project “KRG Reintegration for Returnees from Germany”
Lazgin R., a 64 year old Kurdish
shepherd, decided to return to his
home country, Iraq.
He applied for assistance under
the
IOM
project
“KRG
Reintegration for Returnees from
Germany” before departure.
IOM Iraq has now successfully
assisted him with the reintegration
into his community.
Lazgin R. signs IOM documents.
“My emotions were overwhelming when
my feet touched the floor of Erbil airport.
I am finally back at home.”
Lazgin R., the head of a simple Kurdish
family, living near Dahuk, suffered
from a severe eye and ear infection
which threatened to take his sense of
sight and hearing. Lazgin decided to
leave Iraq for therapy in Germany,
where his sons currently live. To
finance travel and treatment, he sold
much
of
his
property
before
departure.
After receiving surgical attention and
under the pressure of his sons, Lazgin
wanted to make Germany his new
home.
After his second asylum application
was rejected, he decided to return to
his wife and other children in Kurdistan
and try to rebuild his life.
His return counselor in Germany
informed him about the assistance
available under the IOM reintegration
project
“KRG
Reintegration
for
Returnees from Germany”. With the
help of his counselor, he applied for
reintegration assistance.
The returnee herds his sheep.
How IOM helped change Lazgin’s life
“Life can be so simple and yet rich, if only everyone appreciates what they have;
and I got my home and family; and IOM helped me to appreciate what I have.”
IOM Germany interviewed Lazgin
before his departure. As he fit the
project criteria, he was brought into
contact with the IOM Iraq mission in
Dahuk where IOM staff consulted him
and helped him elaborate his plans to
establish a reliable new source of
income in form of a sheep farm.
Lazgin, an experienced sheep farmer
who owns 100m² of land in the KRG,
received a reintegration package in
“I was so sure that my life would be
better if I left Iraq for Germany. Now I
thank Allah that I have come back home
and have received His blessings through
IOM’s help.”
form of a herd of female sheep with
the value of EUR 5,000, allowing him
to open a farm producing sheep
milk products.
Lazgin will now be able to financially
support his family and himself. His son
in Germany says his father is happy
with his decision to have returned
home and grateful for the assistance
IOM provided him with.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Contact IOM Germany
Phone: +49 911 4300 128 - [email protected] - http://germany.iom.int
The shepherd on his land.