DUTY STATION: Nepal
POSITION:  Operations Assistant

“Being part of the convoy that exceptionally moved refugees from one airport to another at night on the highway was a memorable moment for me - I felt I was part of a something larger than myself.”

WHAT DOES HUMANITARIANISM MEAN TO YOU IN ONE WORD? 

Respect 

WHY DID YOU BECOME A HUMANITARIAN WORKER OR VOLUNTEER?

I like to serve people with dignity and respect and that’s why I decided to join IOM. 

WHAT'S THE MOST REWARDING PART OF YOUR WORK?

Standing at the airport and seeing the refugees successfully fly off for their third-country resettlement is the most rewarding part of my work. 

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MORE CHALLENGING ASPECTS OF YOUR WORK?

Ensuring refugees are aware of and show up for their appointments with IOM can be challenging. There are weather challenges on the departure dates, especially when there is heavy fog during the winter and torrential rains in monsoon season and being on the road frequently and encountering obstructions and chaotic road conditions can be stressful too. 

TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE WORK YOU DO

As an Operations staff, I make sure refugees arrive at IOM offices for their pre-screening, interview, and medical screening. I also ensure that once done, they returned to the camps safely. In the morning, I go in the camp early with the IOM convoy to verify that the refugees showed up for their IOM appointments and cross-check refugee passengers against bus manifests. Throughout the week I coordinate with other scheduling staff to plan for refugee pick-ups for the coming days.