STRENGTHENED COOPERATION TO SCALE UP AVAILABILITY AND ACESS TO SUPPORT FOR MIGRANTS IN SWEDEN

Actions taken:

Swedish Red Cross (SRC), as auxiliary to the government in the humanitarian field, and the Swedish government agreed to increase cooperation in order to scale up availability and access to support for migrants.

The pledge has contributed to strengthen the ongoing dialogue between SRC and the government. The following evaluation areas were identified. Each area is followed by a brief summary on activities related to the ambition set forth in the pledge.

• Enhanced cooperation between the public authorities and the Swedish Red Cross in providing support services to migrants in the areas of Reception, Asylum, Restoring Family Links, Psychosocial Support, Integration, Immigration Detention and Return.

• • • SRC strengthened cooperation with public authorities in concerned areas during the period, while addressing the humanitarian consequences of the large influx of asylum seekers in 2015-2016 and responding to needs thereafter.
    • SRC operations included increased activities such as local volunteer activities in reception centres, delivery of restoring family links services, legal advisory service, detention and return activities and rehabilitation and trauma treatment as well as health service to asylum seekers and other migrants. The government contributed to facilitate SRC operations by annual funding.
    • Due to the large number of unaccompanied minors arriving to Sweden and remaining in the country due to unclear status and in difficult conditions, SRC focused particularly on this vulnerable group during 2018-2019. SRC has reached out to a large number of unaccompanied minors providing psychosocial support and core activities such as mentioned above. Reference to enclosed video clip.
    • Cooperation has been strengthened in general with relevant authorities and with the Migration Board in particular, where an agreement was signed to develop SRC protection work in detention centres.
    • In relation to the upcoming International conference SRC is launching a publication in cooperation with other national societies, on the humanitarian consequences of family separation due to war, conflict and perilous migratory trails. A side-event will be arranged. The publication will be presented and shared with the government and relevant authorities to raise awareness and contribute to SRC advocacy in this field.

2. Increased capacity-building of relevant stakeholders in the areas of treatment and rehabilitation of victims of torture or trauma related to armed conflict or perilous migratory routes, international protection, Restoring Family Links, Immigration Detention and Return, with special focus on vulnerable groups.

• • • SRC has developed and conducted training and awareness raising activities, e.g.
      • Psychosocial support training for volunteers
      • Trauma and rehabilitation of torture to migration officers and health care staff
      • Restoring family links and asylum procedures to legal guardians and social workers
      • Voluntary return and protection in detention to volunteers
      • SRC services related to protection and restoring family links and vulnerability along migratory routes part of regular training to police officers

• Methods and practices are put in place to identify early migrants’ needs and vulnerabilities building upon Swedish Red Cross expertise and ensuring “do no harm” principles as well as personal data protection.

• • • SRC has e.g., as part of an international project, developed and conducted training for migration officers on gender related violence

Implementation completion:

Attached Files:

Zaman_Minframtidraknas-eng-sub-2.mp4