The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is an intergovernmental organization established in 1951 that provides services and support to migrants, refugees, and other vulnerable populations around the world. The IOM works to promote humane and orderly migration, protect the rights and well-being of migrants, and support migrant integration and inclusion in host communities. With its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, the IOM operates in over 150 countries, delivering a wide range of programs and services to support migrants and address the complex challenges of migration.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is a humanitarian organization established in 1950 to protect and support refugees, asylum seekers, and stateless persons. The UNHCR provides vital assistance such as shelter, food, water, and medical care, as well as long-term support for refugees, including education and employment opportunities. The organization works with governments, local communities, and other partners to promote the rights and well-being of refugees and to find lasting solutions to their displacement, such as resettlement in a new country. With its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, the UNHCR operates in over 130 countries, providing life-saving assistance and protection to millions of refugees and other displaced persons.
In the entry published in Encyclopedia of Contemporary Constitutionalism, Springer, Prof. Dr. Winfried Kluth and Nicole Jack address these two important actors in the field of international migration. Both international organizations share many traits and are distinguished by extensive cooperation with other organizations and among themselves, while having different origins and standings within the UN system.
