Almost Home: Refugees’ Stories at the Departure Gate

Indonesia is a temporary home for more than 12,700 refugees and asylum seekers who have been forced to leave their countries due to persecution, conflict, human rights violations or other threats to their safety. On the journey to finding a safer place, many of them risked their lives, some people by sailing thousands of miles of ocean where hunger, disease and death haunted them every second.

However, refugees and asylum seekers arriving in a host country doesn’t necessarily end their hardship. Refugees face many barriers with limited access to education and lack of permission to work, as well as cultural and linguistic differences between refugees and host communities. Many refugees perceive their lives as going around in circles without assurance as to when a durable solution to displacement will be found – such as resettlement to a third country, a new permanent home. Individuals and families desperately wait for 9-10 years on average before news about the possibility to resettle abroad brings back their hopes and spirit.

Although it is not a right for people in need of international protection, resettlement is one of the durable solutions for refugees and an expression of international solidarity and shared responsibility with countries hosting large numbers of refugees.

This year, more than 1,000 refugees who had been living temporarily in Indonesia were resettled to third countries including New Zealand, Australia, Canada, and many more. IOM captured the feelings of individuals and families at the departure gate about to embark on yet another journey to begin new lives.

The story of Ahmad & Syifa*

Armed conflict in Somalia has been ongoing since the early 1990s when the military government of President Siad Barre collapsed.  Since then, the country has been plunged into chaos and protracted civil war. 

The conflict has led to a severe humanitarian crisis, with widespread displacement, violence and a lack of basic services and infrastructures. Somalia continues to struggle to establish a stable and functioning government, and various armed groups have fought for power and control over different parts of the country. 

Syifa's journey from Somalia to Indonesia in 2018 is an example of the humanitarian consequences of the ongoing conflict in Somalia. She left her home country in search of a better life and to reunite with her husband, who had been living as a refugee in Indonesia since 2013.

"My dream is to build a family with my husband. But that’s impossible in Somalia. The children cannot grow up in a safe and comfortable environment there because of the ongoing conflict," said Syifa during a brief interview with IOM. 

According to Human Rights Watch's World Report 2022, children continue to bear a heavy burden from Somalia's ongoing insecurity, conflict, and lack of key reforms.  Children were killed, tortured, attacked at schools, and recruited as child soldiers, according to the report.

"My country was no longer safe," Syifa summarized.

"When Syifa was finally able to join me in Indonesia, I was very happy," said Ahmad, Syifa's husband.  During his stay in Indonesia, Ahmad lived in one of the accommodations managed by IOM under the Refugee Care and Assistant (RCA) programme. Meanwhile, Syifa, who arrived later, was living independently.

While waiting to be resettled to a third country, Ahmad admitted that he often felt anxious about his uncertain future. After spending years as refugees in Indonesia, one day they finally received good news about their resettlement.

"I am excited because we can finally continue our lives in another country” said Ahmad to IOM staff at the Soekarno Hatta International Airport. Meanwhile, with excitement in her voice, Syifa said that she feels relieved as she can start a family in a safe and secure environment, away from the conflict that she had been through.

"Thanks to IOM for all your help while we were in Indonesia," said Ahmad as he waved farewell at the departure gate.

Story of Hilal*

Hilal and his family were among more than 3,800 Afghan refugees who are temporarily living in Indonesia.

"My family has been living in Indonesia for 10 years. I was only eight years old when I first came to Indonesia. But since then, my life seemed to be spinning in place," Hilal explained. Hilal’s father owned a shop in Afghanistan. He sold everything from notebooks to videocassettes. Because of prolonged war, the shop was forced to close and Hilal, his parents and his three siblings had to flee to seek safety.

In Indonesia, Hilal continued his education to high school level with the help of IOM. Still, he missed the life he had when he lived in his homeland. "I could go and play in my father's shop at any time," Hilal recalled.  "I want my family to have a decent life like before."

Hilal’s wish finally came true as they boarded a plane to a new country, embarking on their new life in a new home. Milad and his younger siblings are hoping to continue their studies, play and spend their youth with their friends. His father will look for any job to support his family, while his mother plans to work in a beauty salon and learn English.

As he approached the departure gate, Hilal said that he felt like his life was starting to turn again, slowly, and then faster and faster.  "My family and I are really happy to finally start a new chapter of our life in a third country.”

Hilal's father, Najib (37) is hopeful, too: "I know that starting a new life in a new place could be challenging for us, but we will learn and we will do our best to adapt. My children can go back to school and have a bright future. I will work in the new country. I will do everything I can.”

Story of Ali*

Ali (30) is a young man from Afghanistan who arrived in Indonesia eleven years ago.  While living in Indonesia, he lived independently in Bogor, West Java.

"I couldn't do any work in Indonesia because I was a refugee. But I am good at construction work. So I helped many construction works in Indonesia voluntarily,” Ali explained.

When news about the possibility to resettle reached him, Ali was very happy. "I got my resettlement through a sponsorship scheme. My future wife lives, who resides in another country, sponsor me to live there,” he said.

Before walking through the departure gate, Ali expressed his gratitude: "I thank Indonesia for allowing me to stay for eleven years, and I also thank IOM for helping me with the process of my departure to a new country". He waved his hand with a smile as he passed the immigration counter to embark on a long journey fulfilling his dreams.

IOM – Resettlement Assistance in Indonesia

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Indonesia facilitates resettlement to third countries in close cooperation with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), governments and other actors. IOM support includes pre-migration health activities, movement assistance, and pre-departure integration support. Since 2011, IOM Indonesia has successfully assisted the safe and dignified resettlement of more than 9,000 refugees to third countries around the world.  

*Names changed to protect identities