The International Organization for Migration (IOM), founded on December 6, 1951, is an intergovernmental organization that works closely with both governmental and non-governmental partners, such as the United Nations. Its mission is to ensure migration is managed in an orderly and humane manner, promote international cooperation on migration issues, assist in the search for practical solutions to migration problems and to offer humanitarian assistance to those migrants in need, including refugees and internally displaced people. The IOM focuses on the broad areas of migration and development, facilitating migration, regulating migration, and forced migration. With 175 member states, a further 8 states holding observer status and offices in 171 countries, the IOM upholds the principle that humane and orderly migration benefits both migrants and society.