A/HRC/38/41 gender and other factors. All reintegration policies should be subject to continuous evaluation (A/HRC/37/34, principle 6, guideline 8). To mitigate the risks that returnees may face, the preparedness of migrants prior to their return is essential. 55. States should cooperate to ensure the transfer of benefits, income, property, savings, skills and credentials, and provide non-mandatory options for participatory pre-departure and reintegration assistance for migrants choosing to return, especially for those who are vulnerable, have special needs or are in a situation of an emergency evacuation or largescale repatriation.36 56. Countries of origin should also create the conditions necessary for return by incorporating measures based on reintegration needs into national development planning, creating employment opportunities, providing skills recognition and training, and steps to allow the restitution of property. 57. The Special Rapporteur notes that civil society in both countries of destination and countries of origin make an important contribution to facilitating preparedness and reintegration of migrants. States, as duty bearers, however, have the responsibility to fulfil their obligations under international law in this regard. (a) Integration at the individual, family and community levels 58. Reintegration should be addressed at the individual, family and community levels. Returnees may face multiple challenges; each returnee should therefore receive an individualized response, with special attention paid to groups with particular needs, such as children, victims of trafficking, persons with disabilities, older migrants, and persons with medical needs. In this regard, shelter and other accommodation options, medical care, psychological assistance, including family counselling, legal assistance, education, vocational training, economic assistance and livelihood opportunities should be made available. 59. Economic advantages or assistance provided solely to returnees can lead to tension within a community. It is therefore important to ensure that reintegration assistance is balanced and that investments are made in the receiving communities in countries of origin, to avoid social conflict and to reinforce sustainable community development and stability. Reintegration programmes should link with national, regional and international development plans and include local economic development strategies. Prior to the return of migrants, an assessment of the labour market, institutional capacities, prevailing socioeconomic and environmental conditions, services and infrastructure should be carried out. 60. Reintegration into family and community structures can be challenging: after several years of absence, the family and community may have evolved while the migrant may have become accustomed to different cultural norms and a different work environment. Reintegration policy should also take into account social resolution issues from a family and community perspective. 61. Facilitating reintegration requires programmes to focus on both returnees and the communities of origin to which they will return, including pre-arrival activities with host communities to ensure that reintegration benefits all. Particular focus should be put on social integration and the importance of social cohesion and stability within receiving communities. 62. Awareness-raising campaigns, targeting the public at large, as well as employers, trade unions and other stakeholders, should be developed in countries of origin. When well designed, such campaigns can contribute to a better understanding and acceptance of returnees, including of their needs and expectations in the labour market, and address possible types of discrimination, thereby facilitating more effective and sustainable integration. 36 See Now and How, “Ten Acts for the Global Compact: a civil society vision for a transformative agenda for human mobility, migration and development”. 13