Comparative Review of Resettlement in Europe

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Comparative Review of Resettlement in Europe
April 2008
European Resettlement Network www.icmc.net
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Something about ICMC and Resettlement

• Past
• Processed 700,000 refugees since its creation in
  1951
• Present
• Office (OPE) Turkey processes refugees to USA and
  provides CO
• ICMC / UNHCR Deployment Scheme
• Identification of vulnerable cases Jordan
• Advocacy through Brussels, Geneva and Washington
  offices

April 2008
European Resettlement Network www.icmc.net
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Practical Cooperation for a European Resettlement
Network

• Co funding ERF Community
• Actions -12 months
• Goals
• To increase operational
• resettlement capacity
• To establish an ongoing trans-
• national cooperation structure for
• exchange of best practices and resettlement
  training
• (with UNHCR Resettlement Services)
• Output Welcome to Europe

April 2008
European Resettlement Network www.icmc.net
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Why Resettlement Network?

• European Resettlement is growing steadily need
  for stocktaking / monitor new info
• Need for multi stakeholder exchange between
  resettlement countries UNHCR, Govt, NGO,
  service provider, municipalities
• Need for exchange between resettlement countries
  emerging resettlement countries
• Need to reflect on European Resettlement
  Programmes common actions

April 2008
European Resettlement Network www.icmc.net
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Project Partners
April 2008
European Resettlement Network www.icmc.net
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Methodology for Welcome to Europe Publication

• UNHCR resources
• Stakeholder meetings at national levels / UNHCR
  consultation throughout
• European Resettlement Training
• Interviews with stakeholders
• Approved texts consent

April 2008
European Resettlement Network www.icmc.net
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Considerations when establishing a resettlement
programme

• Quotas/UNHCR criteria
• Dossier and selection missions
• Special vulnerable groups model to ensure
  flexibility
• Throughout consideration of reception and
  integration needs
• - Involvement NGOs/local authorities
  and refugees in the resettlement
  process
• - Mobilisation of host
  communities/public opinion

April 2008
European Resettlement Network www.icmc.net
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European quotas
April 2008
European Resettlement Network www.icmc.net
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New Developments

• France 100 cases
• Germany large scale ad-hoc resettlement of
  Iraqis under discussion (Spiegel).
• UK expanding quota
• Iraqi refugee crisis is mobilizing debate
• local churches, NGOs, press, communities

April 2008
European Resettlement Network www.icmc.net
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UNHCR resettlement criteria

• Legal protection and physical protection
• Survivors of violence and torture
• Women at risk
• Medical needs urgent and emergency

• Family reunification
• Refugees without local integration prospects
• Children and adolescents
• Elderly refugees

April 2008
European Resettlement Network www.icmc.net
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Selection dossier basis or selection mission

• Most cases are selected on missions (Burmese,
  Iraqis, Congolese by several EU Member States)
• Dossiers by Sweden (800), UK (100), Finland
  (100), Ireland (40)
• Special programmes TOM, VOT, UAC, WAR
• Need to share best practices on dossier selection
  to provide for more flexibility and meeting
  protection needs world wide

April 2008
European Resettlement Network www.icmc.net
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Good Practice - Swedish quota 2008 - 1900
departures
April 2008
European Resettlement Network www.icmc.net
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Government resettlement criteria

• Most Government only follow UNHCR resettlement
  criteria
• Assessment of the conditions of reception and
  integration Integration Potential (DK)

April 2008
European Resettlement Network www.icmc.net
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Prepare reception through selection

• Good information collection / sharing is
  needed to prepare reception
• 1- UNHCR provides information on the Resettlement
  Referral Form
• 2 - Some agencies participate in selection
  missions to have better understanding of special
  needs to be addressed (DRC,COA, municipalities)
• 3 - Assessment of the conditions of reception
  and integration (Finland/ ,UK)
• 4 Cultural Orientation to manage expectations

April 2008
European Resettlement Network www.icmc.net
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Reception and Integration models in Europe

• Centralised Reception NL and Ireland
• Direct Placement or resettled refugees in
  Municipality
• A mainstream services for resettled
  refugees
• B specialised services for resettled
  refugees (UK)

April 2008
European Resettlement Network www.icmc.net
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The Experience of the Centralised Reception
centre in Amersfoort (COA)

• Only for refugees selected on missions
• Groups 20 30 persons of same ethnic background
  to build mutual support structures
• Up to 3 months introduction programme
• NGO support provided through Vluchtelingen Werk
• COA then places out to municipalities

April 2008
European Resettlement Network www.icmc.net
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Mainstream approach immediate reception in
municipalities (DK, Finland, Sweden)

• Municipalities involved in reception, integration
  or resettled refugees obligatory or voluntary
• Geographical distribution mostly outside large
  cities
• Available housing important factor
• Integration programs 1 to 3 years
• Personalised integration programs recommended
  different actors/tailor made
• Funding allocations vary
• Fostering independence welfare state

April 2008
European Resettlement Network www.icmc.net
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Specialised Resettlement services at the
Municipal Level UK experience

• 12 months financial support and integration
  support through Gateway Programme contracts
  with service providers
• Special consideration vulnerable cases
• Support services provider home visits, drop in
  centers, group sessions, housing support, access
  to benefits system
• Monitoring results feed back to national level
  GPP Steering Group (RIAP UNHCR other Govt
  department services)

April 2008
European Resettlement Network www.icmc.net
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Crosscutting Issues in integration

• Best practices widely dispersed need for more
  research and exchange
• Fostering independence to be promoted as part
  of introduction / integration programme
• subjective nature of integration
• Active engagement of host communities vital
• Refugees as agents or integration / promotion
  community development

April 2008
European Resettlement Network www.icmc.net
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Crosscutting Issues in integration Contd

• Need for bottom up approach to promote
  quality resettlement
• Develop local initiatives to receive resettled
  refugees (churches, cities, other partnerships)
• Consider sponsorship programmes
• Establish multi-stakeholder coordination and
  exchange
• Use ERF to introduce local programmes
• Involve media to explain resettlement/ build
  support
• Involve refugee groups in service
  development/provision/community building.

April 2008
European Resettlement Network www.icmc.net
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To know more

• Please contact Petra Hueck ICMC Europe
  (hueck.icmc.net)
• Deployments to the field Jared Bloch ICMC
  (Geneva) (bloch_at_icmc.net)

April 2008
European Resettlement Network www.icmc.net