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Tool 1: Situation Analysis

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Tools for Formulating (Re)integration Policies
Tool 1: Situation Analysis
Tool 2: Data and Indicators
Tool 3: (Re) integration Frameworks
Tool 4: Stakeholder analysis
Tool 5: Consistency and Coordination
Tool 6: Overcoming Obstacles
Tool 7: Theory of Change
Tool 8: Policy Monitoring
Tool 9: Policy Evaluation
Tools: Download
Tool 1: Situation Analysis

When designing (re)integration policies, it is necessary to carry out initial analyses of the migration or return context. Understanding the local, national, and regional political, institutional, economic, and social circumstances enables addressing the needs of migrants or returning migrants and achieving successful and sustainable (re)integration. It also allows the identification of contextual and structural difficulties that must be considered during a design phase.

When should this tool be used?

This tool can be used at the beginning of the diagnostic phase to identify information loopholes or analysis factors that have not been thoroughly investigated. It is also used for context analysis during the design phase.

How should this tool be used?

Below users will find a series of analysis factors and guiding questions for contextualizing (re)integration processes. Answers by factor can be provided based on each context.

The user has the option to navigate through the tools without the need for registration. In case they want to save their progress in each of the 9 tools, they must click on the 'SAVE' button and enter an email address and in the end they will be able to download the tools with their notes

1. The design of integration policies must be contextualized to identify the main migration trends, considering types of migration, geographic areas that require more attention, and migrant profiles and needs.

The following publications or platforms have systematized the migration trends in South America in the last few decades:

Migrant recipient and concentration areas may require additional interventions. It is suggested that the IOM methodological framework (2023), Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) be applied to identify such areas. DTM is a system for collecting and analyzing data on the mobility, vulnerability and needs of displaced and mobile populations in specific locations. Click on the following link to access reports on the region: DTM South America.

Consider whether you have representative information on the profiles of different subgroups of migrants at the national or subnational level, in a disaggregated and inclusive manner, helping to learn about their needs and evaluate their levels of integration. For this purpose, see Tool 2: Data and indicators.
It is also recommended that you review or carry out qualitative studies on different groups of migrants, which would allow for a more specific approach. Studies and diagnoses of the IOM Publications Platform can be consulted here as, for instance:

2. Consider the political, social and economic context in which migration trends happen so as to identify which structural factors require more attention during the design phase of an integration policy.

  • Favourable legislation regarding the protection and integration of refugees and migrants. See Tool 3: Frameworks for (re)integration..
  • Perceptions of migration and levels of xenophobia. Check out on the resources at Laboratorio de percepción ciudadana sobre la migración (citizen perception of migration laboratory) of the Inter-American Development Bank and at the Barómetro de la Xenofobia (Xenophobia Barometer).
  • Windows of political opportunity: Is there a chance for migrant integration to become more important in migration governance?
  • Equality and access to rights: Has the situation of inequality and access to rights in the country improved?
  • Security and political stability: What is the security and political stability situation like in the country?
  • Economic stability and employment opportunities: What is the economic situation of the country? Have job creation policies been implemented?
  • Lower risk of natural disasters, and food security: Are there regulatory frameworks to protect people affected by natural disasters? Have climate change adaptation measures been taken?
  • Family reunification Have measures been taken to encourage and facilitate family reunification?

Consider the status of these aspects for migrants and how they could be related to obstacles to their sustainable integration processes. Guidance can be sought in Tool 6: Overcoming obstacles.

3. Assess overall difficulties and opportunities in migrants’ host communities when outlining integration strategies, considering the needs and available resources, alleviating potential tensions, and maximizing the benefits of migration.

The evaluation of the community profile shows the needs and resources of a community and the repercussion of migration on these needs and resources. See Section 3.2 Community Assessments and Projects in the IOM 2020 Reintegration Handbook.

For this analysis, you can use Annex 8: Service mapping: most common service providers and considerations in the IOM 2020 Reintegration Handbook.

The following resources can be used to guide an analysis of the labour market and entrepreneurship opportunities in host communities:

4. It is necessary to mainstream a gender and intersectional perspective in the migration situation analysis to identify gender gaps and unequal power relations that can hinder sustainable and successful integration processes. The following questions are suggested:

See Module 2: Migration processes: a gender perspective IOM (2014), Migrant Women and Gender Violence. Strategies and Perspectives for Interventions; and III. Conceptual framework IOM (2016), Migration and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex (LGBTI) People.

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1. To identify the main migration trends, it is necessary to contextualize the design of reintegration policies, considering types of return migration, geographic areas that require more attention, and returnee profiles and needs.

The following publications or platforms have systematized the return migration trends in South America, including return in the last few decades:
For additional information on the return types see: Section 1.1. Understanding return migration in the IOM 2020 Reintegration Handbook and Annex 1. Desk review on type of return and reintegration in IOM (2021), Comparative reintegration outcomes between forced and voluntary return and through a gender perspective.

Return migrant recipient and concentration areas may require additional interventions. It is suggested that the OIM methodological framework (2023), Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) be applied to identify such areas. DTM is a system for collecting and analyzing data on the mobility, vulnerability and needs of displaced and mobile populations. Click on the following link to access reports on return migrants: Return migration.

Consider whether you have representative information on the profiles of different subgroups of return migrants at the national or subnational level, in a disaggregated and inclusive manner, allowing you to learn about their needs and evaluate their levels of reintegration. For this purpose, see Tool 2: Data and Indicators.
It is also recommended that you review or carry out qualitative studies on return migrants allowing for a more specific approach. See for instance: IOM (2019), Estudio Etnográfico: Historias de vida de personas migrantes en retorno (Ethnographic study: Life stories of returned migrants).

2. Consider the political, social and economic context in which return migration trends happen so as to identify which structural factors require more attention during the design phase of a sustainable reintegration policy.

  • The relevant regulatory framework for return and reintegration. See Tool 3: (Re)integration Frameworks.
  • Costs of return migration: Are there policies or initiatives that address the indebtedness situation of returning migrants?
  • Windows of political opportunity: Is there a chance for migrant reintegration to become more important in migration governance?
  • Equality and access to rights: Has the situation of inequality and access to rights in the country improved?
  • Security and political stability: What is the security and political stability situation like in the country?
  • Economic stability and employment opportunities: What is the economic situation in the country? Have job creation policies been implemented?
  • Lower risk of natural disasters, and food security: Are there regulatory frameworks to protect people affected by natural disasters? Have climate change adaptation measures been taken?
In case there is no favorable outlook in these aspects, consider how this has had an impact on returning migrants and hindered their sustainable reintegration processes, such as attempts to remigrate. Guidance can be sought in Tool 6: Overcoming Obstacles.

3. Assess opportunities and challenges in the communities of origin of returnees, allowing the development of reintegration strategies, considering the needs and available resources, alleviating potential tensions and maximizing the benefits of return migration.

Evaluate the community profile to learn about the needs and resources of a community and the repercussion of return migration on these needs and resources. See Section 3.2 Community Assessments and Projects in the IOM 2020 Reintegration Handbook.

For this analysis, you can use Annex 8: Service mapping: most common service providers and considerations in the IOM 2020 Reintegration Handbook.
Consider analyzing the impact of barriers in access to health services on reintegration processes. See IOM (2022), Research Study #3 - Health and Reintegration. Returning to Space but not to Time: A Life Course Approach to Migrants’ Health, Continuity of Care and Impact on Reintegration Outcomes.

Carry out a labour market analysis to identify the main economic sectors to be considered and identify opportunities for economic reintegration:

4. It is necessary to mainstream a gender perspective and intersectionality in the situation analysis of return migration to identify gender gaps and unequal power relations that can hinder sustainable and successful reintegration processes. The following questions are suggested:

See Chapter 4, Comparative analysis of reintegration outcomes through a gender perspective; and Annex 2. Desk review on gender, return and reintegration, IOM (2021), Comparative reintegration outcomes between forced and voluntary return and through a gender perspective.

See UNDP, UN Women, UNFPA and the Spotlight Initiative. (2021). No dejar atrás a las mujeres en movilidad. Guía para la integración del enfoque de género en la gestión de bosques y cambio climático (Leave no women on the move behind. Guide for mainstreaming the gender perspective in forest management and climate change). IOM Affirmative actions for protection and assistance. (2016). Migration and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex (LGBTI) People.
(R)integration policy tools
Tool 2: Data and Indicators