Migration agency ready to help

17 Aug 2012, 11:45 am   -   Source: AAP

The International Migration Organisation, which helped to run the Nauru detention centre 11 years ago, says it's willing to assist again.

The organisation that helped support asylum seekers detained on Nauru under the former Howard government is again offering its assistance.

The chief of mission for the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in Australia, Mark Getchell, has given in-principle support from his head office to take part in Labor's relaunched plan for offshore processing.

Mr Getchell said he'd had initial discussions with the government but nothing had been confirmed.

An Australian reconnaissance team comprising the defence force and immigration officials is expected to be on Manus Island on Friday to start setting up a temporary facility, before heading to Nauru.

The IOM assisted at the Nauru and Manus Island centres from 2001.

Mr Getchell said the IOM did not endorse particular policies but rather provided care and maintenance to migrants in need.

"We look at it as adding value and helping them go through the process with care and dignity," he told AAP on Friday.

Mr Getchell was involved in the initial set-up of the facility in Nauru in 2001 just as the HMAS Manoora brought people rescued by the Tampa.

"It was quick. At that point there was nothing on the ground, just an open field," he said.

"The Australian Defence Force put up a temporary solid structure for the people, then there was a kitchen and recreation space and ablutions.

"The end result was quite comfortable."

Mr Getchell said that while comfort was important, in order to provide a deterrent effect to boat arrivals the government would not want the facilities to "look like a country club".

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