Seventy-three migrants voluntarily returned to their home countries as part of a reintegration scheme that ended yesterday.

This shows that when EU funds are used wisely we can overcome the migration challenges facing Malta

The scheme, Assisted Voluntary Return, was coordinated by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and provided migrants with training, support and funds to successfully reintegrate in their home community.

The results of the scheme, which began in 2011, were announced at a press conference to mark the end of the third phase. The next phase will begin next month and run until 2015. Some 80 migrants are expected to be helped to make the trip back home.

The scheme, which cost €400,000, provided migrants across the globe with about €2,500 each to set up their own business and buy luggage and any medicines required. The scheme was co-financed by the EU and several NGOs.

IOM Mediterranean coordinator Josè Oropesa said the scheme had provided migrants with an invaluable alternative to living away from home.

“One in seven people are migrants. We need a greater effort to help integrate these people here or reintegrate them back at home.”

The IOM is the world’s leading migrant agency with more than 450 offices worldwide and a presence in more than 140 countries. It has a budget of €1.4 billion.

Home Affairs Minister Manuel Mallia said: “IOM is one of Malta’s leading partners in dealing with the growing pressures of migration. We have one of the EU’s highest population density ratios and some 16,000 migrants have arrived in Malta since 2003.

“While the Government fully recognises its obligations in this sphere, we need more help.”

The Parliamentary Secretary for EU Funds, Ian Borg added: “I can appreciate how brave those 73 who made the journey back home have been. In many cases we reunited them with their loved ones.

“This goes to show that when EU funds are used wisely we can overcome the migration challenges facing Malta.”