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Reintegration Hub

Pre-Departure Counselling

Helping people return with dignity, clarity, and confidence.
IRARA’s pre-departure counselling equips individuals with the tools, information, and emotional support they need to return home in a safe, planned, and empowered way. Every return is unique, and our approach is tailored to reflect each person’s story, circumstances, and hopes for the future. We work closely with returnees to make sure that the emotional, legal, logistical, and economic aspects of their return are addressed in a structured and compassionate manner.

Our pre-departure services include:

  • Needs assessments: We begin with a comprehensive, structured interview to explore the returnee’s physical and mental health, family obligations, migration journey, and aspirations. This includes identifying any immediate risks such as chronic illnesses, disabilities, or dependency care needs. Understanding the returnee’s background allows us to build a plan that is both realistic and empowering.
  • Return briefings: Returnees often face confusion around their rights, removal conditions, and entitlements. We offer personalised briefings that explain each individual’s status, the implications of voluntary versus enforced return, and available benefits or support in the destination country. This clarity enables informed decision-making and reduces uncertainty.
  • Mental health support: Many returnees experience significant psychological distress due to trauma, instability, or prolonged detention. Our culturally sensitive counselling sessions are designed to help individuals process their experiences and prepare emotionally for the journey ahead. Where needed, we provide access to professional psychological services and peer support groups, creating a safety net of care and reassurance.
  • Reintegration planning: Reintegration doesn’t begin after arrival, it starts before departure. Our teams help returnees co-develop detailed reintegration plans that map out education or training pathways, job placement options, or micro-enterprise development. We liaise with in-country partners to assess feasibility and arrange support such as grant access, mentorship, or vocational enrolment in advance.
  • Travel logistics: We manage all travel-related logistics so that returnees can focus on their transition. This includes validating documentation (passports, visas), coordinating health screenings, booking transport, preparing layover guidance, and liaising with airlines and embassies to ensure a secure and seamless return. For individuals with special needs, we arrange medical escorts or mobility accommodations.
  • Orientation and transition support: Before departure, returnees receive detailed information about what to expect upon arrival. This can include language assistance, social norms, legal responsibilities, and community contacts in the destination country. In some cases, returnees are linked with local coaches or mentors who provide guidance from the outset.

 

Every element of our pre-departure counselling reflects IRARA’s belief that reintegration is a human journey, not a checklist. Through structured preparation and dedicated care, we help people take ownership of their return and step forward into a future that is safe, informed, and full of potential.