On this 20th June 2023, World Refugee Day, the Congregation of the Adorers, Handmaids of the Blessed Sacrament and of Charity, wishes to make visible and defend access to the right to haven for victims of human trafficking, who are in need of international protection.
In addition, on this day, the Province of Europe-Africa of the Adorers presents its main results on Asylum and trafficking.
The work of the Adorers on World Refugee Day
The entity of Sisters Adorers in Spain offers comprehensive support to trafficked women applicants and/or beneficiaries of international protection, in the phases of Reception and Autonomy, through the modality of concerted action in the itinerary of the system of reception of international protection.
Within this framework, a Temporary Shelter programme is developed, according to the shelter itinerary of the Spanish Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migrations, offering a total of 49 shelter places, distributed in Andalusia (Almeria, 6; Cordoba, 8 -for women with dependent minors-; Malaga, 8; Seville, 8), Catalonia (Barcelona, 3) and Madrid (8) and, through the Amaranta Solidarity Foundation, which also belongs to Adoratrices, and which manages 8 shelter places in the province of Granada.
The services and actions contemplated in the itinerary of the 1st phase of reception include the coverage of the material needs of reception. The itinerary of the 2nd phase of reception includes the allocation of financial aid to cover basic needs. In a transversal way, in both phases, both in the reception phase and in the autonomy phase, the itinerary provides:
– Social, psychological, legal and cultural support, intervention and accompaniment.
– Language teaching and literacy and reading and writing activities.
– Socio-occupational counselling and support in accessing training programmes.
– Translation and interpretation services.
– Access to the educational system for minors.
– Support in reconciling activities with their personal and family life.
Adorers also offers a support, intervention and accompaniment service at the international airports of Madrid and Barcelona.
Data
Airport Assistance
During the first quarter of 2023 Sisters Adorers has assisted 12 women haven seekers at the airport, 9 at Adolfo Suárez Madrid Barajas Airport and 3 at El Prat Airport in Barcelona.
1st Phase Reception
47 women and dependent minors seeking international protection have been welcomed and cared for in the first phase in the network of Adorers’ centres throughout 2023.
2nd Phase of autonomy
9 women and 2 minors seeking asylum were cared for by the entity in the second phase of reception. 6 of them are women coming from the war conflict derived from the Russian invasion of Ukraine, who were welcomed in 2022 and continue to be attended in 2023 in the autonomy phase.
Networking for the integration of refugees in Spain
Networking, complementarity and joining forces with specialised entities in the social sphere, as well as with public bodies, is fundamental to contribute to the detection, specialised care and integration of women victims of trafficking who are applicants and/or beneficiaries of international protection.
Among the many collaborations developed, we highlight, on the one hand, the recent collaboration of Adoratrices in the framework of the Protection Dialogue on the mental health of refugees organised by UNHCR, held on 6 June in Madrid. The activity was conceived as a space for reflection among experts, including people who have suffered forced displacement, to identify the main challenges and opportunities in the field of mental health of refugees in Spain. This Dialogue will contribute to strengthening coordination and collaboration in the identification and adoption of measures and solutions aimed at promoting and guaranteeing the psychosocial well-being and mental health care of refugees.
On the other hand, on June 20th, International Day of Refugees, Adorers will participate in Spain with Refugees Forum organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation and UNHCR. The Spain with Refugees Forum, prior to the celebration of the World Refugee Forum, which will take place in Geneva in December 2023, aims to be a platform where different actors of civil society (NGOs, universities, companies, individuals, associations or foundations), can present projects or concrete actions that promote the inclusion of refugees in Spain, and commitments can be reached to respond to emergencies of forced displacement in the world, through international cooperation programmes led by UNHCR.
Migration and asylum Pact of the European Union
Finally, we Adorers follow with interest the process of negotiations on the future of the European Union Pact on Migration and asylum, which continues to advance with the recent approval of the Regulation on Haven and Migration Management (RAMM) and the Amended Procedures Regulation (APR). In this regard, we express our concern about the application of a border control approach in the Pact, and believe that it is essential that the Pact guarantees the right to international protection of any person in a situation of persecution in their country of origin.