New office opens in Baghdad to bring migration and reintegration support closer to people
The Iraqi Ministry of Migration and Displaced (MoMD), together with the German Embassy and Swiss Embassy, has officially opened a new consultation office within its premises in Baghdad. The new space was built with funds from the German Government and brings MoMD, GIZ and other partners closer together to strengthen cooperation on migration and reintegration. It also hosts the Iraqi-German Centre for Jobs, Migration and Reintegration (GMAC), where people can access confidential consultations and reliable information on skills development, employment and opportunities in Iraq and abroad.
The newly constructed building at the MoMD provides a dedicated space for cooperation on migration and reintegration. In addition to hosting the new GMAC office, it offers space for consultations, meetings, trainings and joint work between MoMD, GIZ and other organisations working in this area.
The building also provides a dedicated space where people returning to Iraq can receive guidance and connect with training and employment opportunities through the National Referral Mechanism (NRM). The NRM brings relevant services and partners together to coordinate support, manage referrals and help people access the services they need to rebuild their lives in Iraq.
The new space also creates opportunities for closer cooperation with partners such as the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD). Bringing relevant organisations closer together can make coordination easier and help connect people with the services and information they need.
The office is therefore part of a broader effort to strengthen MoMD’s role and create a more accessible and coordinated environment for the ministry, local and international partners to deliver better and stronger services to people affected by migration.
Bringing GMAC closer to people in Baghdad
The new office also hosts the new Iraqi-German Centre for Jobs, Migration and Reintegration (GMAC). This office brings GMAC closer to MoMD and its NRM system and to the people it supports. GMAC advisors work alongside their government colleagues to help people returning to Iraq and find the information and support they need to take their next steps.
Returning to Iraq can mean starting again after several years abroad. Some people may want to find a job, develop their skills or start a business. Others may need guidance on the opportunities available to them. Through individual consultations, GMAC advisors listen to people’s situations, provide reliable information and help them identify practical options for their future.
With co-financing from the Swiss State Secretariat for Migration (SEM), GMAC also connects people with practical reintegration support, including employment opportunities and support to develop new projects or businesses. This allows people to move from discussing their options to taking concrete steps towards rebuilding their lives in Iraq.
In addition to that, this office is a learning space for MoMD staff and GMAC advisors. Through joint consultations, training and learning opportunities with implementing partners, staff can build their knowledge and practical experience to better respond to the needs of people affected by migration.
By working side by side, GMAC, MoMD and their partners can make it easier for people to find the right information, access relevant services and identify opportunities for their next steps.
