Sunday 22 November 2015

Report of the second meeting at Rehoboth

Val says Malc has translated the minutes of the meeting that have just been sent, I thought you might find them interesting. It would appear that it will possibly be Eritreans or Sudanese guests that we may be hosting. I like that part of our brief will be to make them like France and French attitudes.  We will all do our best to welcome them after the trials they have suffered so far in life.  

Record of the Rehoboth meeting - 18 November 2015

1  Presentation of the situation in the Tarn et Garonne by professionals
(l ' AMAR and CADA members)

AMAR: Association Montalbanaise assistance to refugees
CADA: Asylum-seekers Reception Centre

Sites:
CNDA.fr
www.centreamar.org

2014 :
-183 asylum applications were filed on the Tarn et Garonne (data OFPRA).
-50 files were accepted (including half on appeal): for a file to OFPRA, applicants have 21 days. Usually the cases were dealt with in 2 years; the time will be reduced to 9 months. It is no doubt hoped to be shortened.
-21 were given subsidiary protection (carte de sejour for 1 year, renewable, and after 5 yearsa residence permit for 10 years).
-75 migrants were refused their application (very few returns to their countries, because it is complicated).

The OFII (French Office for Immigration and Integration) will come on site to explain the steps. Asylum applications should be made in Toulouse.
 
2. The current context

The objective of the Government is to empty the 'jungle' Calais because:
-the conditions are intolerable (injunction from justice to ensure care and hygiene);
-local residents are overwhelmed;
-the number of migrants continues to grow because the France has strengthened its borderwith the United Kingdom (very few passages now).

Migrants have made a painful journey to get to the United Kingdom. So it is unlikely that they will make an application for asylum here. It is also possible that they will leave on their own very quickly.

3. What will be the needs in Saint Antonin?

* A priori: the centre will host Eritreans and Sudanese (single, no families)
They will number 18; If they leave quickly, they will certainly be replaced by others. It was proposed to add 15 more...

* Apart from the volunteers, who will be in the Centre?
-2 night watchmen
-social worker
These jobs are hired by the UDAF (these are temporary) and funded by the State.

The Eritreans speak generally English, the Sudanese it is more complicated.

* Administrative and legal formalities (highly specialized) will be performed by the AMAR.

They will need to get about : Saint Antonin, Montauban (AMAR), or even Toulouse. The problem is that the centre is very isolated. The question may arise, namely why this place has been chosen. It seems that maybe to make these migrants less visible (as there would be room in Montauban).
Individual cars appear to be insufficient to ensure these journeys: there arises also the question of the availability of volunteers and the question of the cost of travel. It should probably need a budget to reimburse these costs.

Immediate needs : no doubt a time for listening and rest; These people have left their country, homes, they have travelled far, they suffered in Calais.

Health checks should be made, but we need to make sure! The worries and pathologies are many: dental, intestinal problems, tuberculosis, psychological problems related to stress. So it will need rendezvous with the appropriate bodies.
Refugees are entitled to the AME (the State medical assistance): it will need a  request if some have no cover. The doctor will be paid without fees being charged.
But we must be vigilant against certain diseases (ex: TB); the screening and care not will have perhaps been made.
A nurse has volunteered to do a 1st review.

How to welcome these refugees ?
-No experience of refugees from Eritrea or Sudan, no reports of experience.
-Volunteers can already learn about these countries (causes of displacement, political regimes, customs...): documentaries on the Sudan will be ready. There is an association: South Sudan solidarity (sudsoudantsolidarite.fr)

The role of volunteers will be :
-comfort
-to teach French
and French attitudes
-trying to give a social life
-organize meals.
-…

But all this takes time, 4 months is probably too short to initiate relevant actions.

What to do with the neighbours ?
Oppositions are real around the Centre, and this is common around the CADA (even if there is no crime on the part of migrants).
What can we do?
-provide a meeting with neighbours before the arrival of the migrants informing them of what will happen (within a week).
-provide a meal / a time with refugees and the neighbours to get to know later.
-You can also consider a meeting where the documentary on Sudan would be presented with discussion about refugees and their rights. It could be that in a communal room, inviting the neighbours with a glass of friendship.

And thereafter? The Centre will be closed to refugees from March 20.
After the requests for asylum, they will not be able to join a CADA because they are free in the Department; on the other hand, if they are offered accommodation in another Department, they cannot refuse.

Follow up: because our authorities have repeated to us: the difficulties begin once refugee status is granted.

How to find housing? Any help will be welcome.
How to find a job? The unemployment problems in addition to the skills and language.

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