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Summary
This project will
complement the overall Tsunami disaster relief efforts of the
Norwegian government. The assistance provided through this
project will enable up to 135 immigrants living in Norway, who
lost close family members as a result of the Tsunami, to return
temporarily to their country of origin and participate in
memorial ceremonies for deceased family members and to fulfil
other ‘closure’ obligations. IOM Oslo will implement the project
in close co-ordination and co-operation with the Norwegian
authorities, relevant immigrant NGOs and other organizations in
Norway, as well as the IOM offices operating in the Tsunami
affected areas. |
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Background
As a result of the strongest earthquake in 40 years and the
massive Tsunami waves in the Bay of Bengal on December 26, 2004,
over three hundred thousand persons in the area are dead,
missing or separated from their relatives. Families all over the
world have lost contact and are without news of their loved ones
in the region.
This natural catastrophe has also
touched the lives of numerous people living in Norway. It is
estimated that approximately 60 families with immigrant
background are affected. Among the Asian immigrant group in
Norway the Sri Lankan community appears to be the hardest
hit. An unknown number of immigrants originating e.g. from
Thailand, Indonesia and India may have also lost family members
as a result of the Tsunami.
Eligibility criteria for
travel assistance
Those who:
- Have lost close family members
(parents, spouse, children, and siblings) as a result of the
natural catastrophe that took place in South-East Asia on 26
December 2004, and who
- Are immigrants of any
nationality living in Norway and have either
- Norwegian citizenship
- Permanent residency, or
- Have been in Norway over three years and meet the
requirements for a permanent residency qualify for the travel
assistance offered by this project.
Persons who fulfil the above
eligibility criteria, but organized their travel to their
country of origin spontaneously, prior the establishment of the
project, can apply for a reimbursement of their international
flight costs. Reimbursement will be made according to the lowest
fare available. Reimbursement is not available to those whose
travel costs have already been covered by the social offices of
municipalities.
Available assistance
The project will facilitate the travel of up to 135 affected
immigrants back to their countries of origin to temporarily
reunite with their surviving relatives, participate in the
memorial ceremonies for their deceased family members and take
care of family matters and ‘closure’ obligations resulting from
the loss of family members.
The assistance to be provided for
the beneficiaries of the project includes:
- Information about the project
- Assistance in acquiring a
travel document, if needed
- Provision of the international
transportation
- Provision of the departure,
transit and arrival assistance, if needed
- Provision of domestic
transportation in the country of origin, if needed and
possible.
Travel arrangements
IOM Oslo in coordination with other concerned IOM missions will
make international travel arrangements for the beneficiaries
according to the following parameters:
- The applications are processed
and travel arrangements are made on ongoing basis.
- Transportation will be
organized by booking seats on commercial flights.
- The travel dates can be chosen
by the individual beneficiaries, within the limits of project
period, flight and seat availability.
- The travel should be completed
by the end of the March 2005.
- A maximum length of the stay
is 4 weeks.
- Only one travel per person is
allowed.
- Maximum 2 persons per affected
family can receive travel assistance.
Domestic transportation in Norway
need to be covered by the beneficiaries themselves.
How to apply?
Persons fulfilling the eligibility criteria must submit an
application form to IOM by 15 March 2005. The application forms
can be obtained from the IOM office or
downloaded from here:
English
version -
Norsk
versjon
Download
travel
reimbursement application form
International Organization for
Migration
Storgata 10A, 2nd floor
P.O. Box 8927 Youngstorget
NO-0028 Oslo, Norway
Tel: + 47 23 10 53 20
Fax: +47 23 10 53 21
Email:
iomoslo@iomosl.org
Links to related websites:
Info sheet
Download the project info sheet (PDF)
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