As the COVID-19 crisis unfolds, an increasing number of foreigners in Georgia approach IOM with requests for assistance. Many of them are stranded and wish to return home, others express the need for humanitarian support because of lack of income due to lost jobs.

To date, IOM has assisted 13 foreigners with cash grants for accommodation and food, and have also provided COVID-19 related information in their native languages. Next week, IOM will purchase tickets on a charter flight from Tbilisi to Tehran for 7 citizens of Iran. The number of immigrants in Georgia expressing interest in IOM’s Assisted Voluntary Return from Georgia and Reintegration in Countries or Origin is growing day-by-day.