NETWORK FOR THE INTEGRATION OF RESETTLED REFUGEES

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1 NETWORK FOR THE INTEGRATION OF RESETTLED REFUGEES SHARE PROGRAM SHEFFIELD VISIT September 2013 Fonds européen pour les réfugiés - FER Unité territoriale de Paris, de la Seine St Denis, Des Hauts-de-Seine et du Val-de-Marne

2 The Asylum Right in France Apply for asylum at OFPRA (National Office for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons). Asylum applications total: demands places in the Center (CADA) places in the Provisory Center of Accomodation (CPH) A long-term residence card renewable every 10 years But six months to leave the center. The national device of reception (Dispositif national d accueil) is not able to support the reception of resselted refugees.

3 The national resettlement programme In2008, France signs a framework cooperation agreement with the UNHCR UNHCR submits a hundred cases each year to the Ministry of Interior Affairs: Only refugees under the 1951 Geneva Convention or under the strict mandate of UNHCR; No specific criteria under the agreement or under Parliamentary process; medical, emergency and vulnerable cases (women and girls at risk, unaccompanied minors) accepted; no selection mission; only dossier based selection.

4 The Housing and Accomodation Context A national housing deficit : A shortfall between and 1 million dwellings; A real housing supply problem; The cost and the significant financial efforts; Social Housing? Private Housing? Unemployement and financial crisis : Financial Crisis ; The unemployment rate; Be a non communautary foreign and work in France.

5 Same status and rights as spontaneous refugees: Access to permanent residence permit and to the same rights as nationals (except political rights). Access to social housing under the same condition as nationals. Signature of the reception and integration contract: language classes, civic training, employment and qualification assessment. Citizenship can be requested as soon as refugees status is granted if they demonstrate their assimilation in French society.

6 2010, a France terre d asile s project funding at 50% European Refugee Fund (ERF), 50% French Government. Aim : provide a tailored support and facilitate integration of resettled refugees in France. 5 axes to emphasize beneficiaries' autonomy : Housing resselted refugees and provide a social and professional support; Partnerships (create a link between the actors of integration and the actors of asylum); Create pedagogic tools to help all the actors imply in the Resettlement framework; Advocacy : influence public policies when the system are not responding to resselted refugees needs; Build an European network for resettlement (take an active part in the process of European Resettlement program).

7 HOUSING RESSELTED REFUGEES Imply the authorities in the emergency process of accommodation An agreement betweeen France terre d asile and the Regional and Departmental Direction for the accomodation and the housing (DRIHL) for Paris, Saint Denis, Bagneux, Creteil ALT (temporary allocation for association which provide a safe, secure and adequate housing for people who need it 16 apartments with 77 places An accomodation for six months renewable for a further period of six months Social and professional support basis on a contract between the association and the beneficiary.

8 Create a link between all the actors imply in the process of integration and France terre d asile to improve and facilitate the integration of the beneficiaries. OFII (French Office of Immigration and Integration); CAF, municipalities, CPAM; PACT de Saint Denis, Public Housing; Alliance Française, SINGA project (French courses); Secours Catholique, Emmaus; The local mission of Val-de-marne; The local Plan of Insertion Professional development but also social inclusion

9 France terre d asile, it s also : Advocacy Create pedagogic tools to help all the actors imply in the Resettlement framework.

10 Results in households, 120 persons in 2012; 12 households, 50 personns left the project in 2012 with a social or a private flat; BENEFICI AIRES PAR SITE Nombre de ménages Nombre de personne s PARIS VAL DE MARNE DEUX-SEVRES Total % 34% 38% 28% 100% 81% with the RSA (solidarity income for people above 25 years old) and the ASPA (solidarity income for people above 60 years old); In average, people pass 12,3 months in a appartement of the network.

11 Main problems Lack of information prior departure No information or misinformation about the reception in France especially regarding accommodation and housing. Disappointment, denial of realities, lack of trust in service providers, refusal of housing proposals. Lack of information of service providers on arrivals and their needs, including medical needs.

12 Lack of coordination, planning and transparency by the authorities have to fill up an asylum application upon arrival: not understandable for refugees and delays access to social rights (residence permit, integration programme ). Delays in accessing French classes under the national integration programme. The working group on resettlement (Ministry of Interior Affairs, UNHCR, IOM, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, OFII, OFPRA, Forum réfugiés and France terre d asile) only met twice the last three years. Lack of coordination, planning and transparency by the authorities

13 Housing crisis Unemployment in France Limited language skills High level prior qualifications

14 Thank You Sokhna NDAO Coordinator of the Network of France terre d asile Direction Intégration Emploi/Logement Tel.: Mail : sndao@france-terre-asile.org Fonds européen pour les réfugiés - FER Unité territoriale de Paris, de la Seine St Denis, Des Hauts-de-Seine et du Val-de-Marne