On the September 23rd a charter flight was held from Frankfurt to Tbilisi that transported around 60 citizens of Georgia who had signed up on Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration program (AVRR). The flight is organized by the German and Georgian Governments and is facilitated by IOM. 

In many countries, migrants were severely impacted by the pandemic. Many lost their sources of income and it is even harder to get a job now, leading more migrants to consider returning. Further, in times of crisis many migrants express their wish to return to be with family members, especially those most vulnerable. In coordination with the relevant governments, IOM is finding options to facilitate voluntary returns of migrants seeking assistance during the ongoing pandemic as the procedures of facilitating returns (organizing travel documents, medical check-ups, etc.) have become less predictable and more time-consuming. 

The cost of the flight ticket to Georgia was covered by the German Voluntary Return Programme REAG/GARP.

Some returnees will receive benefits from reintegration assistance to facilitate their new start in Georgia.