Returning Home, Rebuilding Lives: Migration and Reintegration in Asia

17/07/2025

In many Asian countries, migration is a fact of life. Faced with limited job opportunities, low wages, or instability, thousands of people leave their homes each year in search of a better future. For the families left behind, the money sent back by relatives working abroad can be a lifeline. However, migration is far from flawless, and life in host countries can be difficult and complex, leading a group of migrants each year to voluntarily return to their country of origin.

But what happens when someone decides to return?

At Caritas International, we understand the complex realities behind migration, and we believe returning home should be more than just simply going back. Since 1984, we’ve been supporting people who choose to return voluntarily from Belgium to their country of origin, helping them reintegrate with dignity and hope.

In 2004, we helped launch the Belgian reintegration program in partnership with Fedasil and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Today, we remain one of the main organizations providing personalized support to returnees. Our goal is to make the reintegration process as smooth, respectful, and tailor-made as possible.

Partnerweek organized by Caritas International with local partners from the EURP project, in Brussels on June 17, 2025. © Caritas International

To shed light on this journey, we’ve created a new brochure in collaboration with our local partners across Asia. It explores the realities of migration and reintegration in 11 countries, from Nepal to the Philippines, from Kazakhstan to Sri Lanka.

Inside the brochure, you’ll find:

Country snapshots that explain why people migrate and what it means to return
Real stories from individuals who chose to go back and rebuild their lives
Insight into how local support networks make reintegration possible

Download the brochure

Whether you’re a professional in the field or simply curious to understand the human side of migration, this brochure offers a grounded, human perspective on a complex issue.

Download the brochure now and discover what return and reintegration really mean.