Support Services for Newly-Arrived Asylum-Seekers

Timeframe
1 January 2019 – 31 August 2022.

Supported by:
This project is partially funded by the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF)

Project Description

The project will focus on supporting newly-arrived asylum-seekers. The rationale for this stems from an understanding that providing this group with sufficient information and guidance as soon as possible not only seeks to empower individuals and support their self-reliance, but it also reduces the administrative workload of government entities in dealing with subsequent queries and misinformed applicants.

Particular attention will be given to vulnerable asylum-seekers and to those facing particular hardships, such as women, LGBTIQ+ persons, persons with disabilities, etc.

Project phases

The project will run in two phases: (i) the first phase will kick off the service-provision, as explained below, and will run in parallel with an information-gathering exercise by the project team regarding the most relevant and pressing needs felt by newly-arrived asylum-seekers; and (ii) the mapping will provide us with the basis for the information to include in the drafting and publication of 5 Fact Sheets during the secondary phase of the project.

Service provision

The information given during outreach sessions at the open centres will be personal, informal and geared not only towards information-sharing but also confidence-building (e.g. how to overcome fear, how to deal with memory loss, the importance of documentation, the relevance of the Preliminary Questionnaire, the Appeals procedure, subsequent applications, etc).

The information provided during these sessions will not replicate the information provided by the Office of the Refugee Commissioner since it

This information will focus on the giving of general information on life in Malta as an asylum-seeker. Currently, there is no entity that provides this information is currently in a coordinated manner.

More specifically, the sessions will cover the vast majority of the rights provided for under the recast Reception Conditions Directive, in particular access to employment, access to specialised support, resettlement/ relocation/ residence, access to schooling and healthcare, documentation, institutions and also practical tips.

Individualised information will be given during the outreach visits, where this is possible, or the individual will be referred to the aditus foundation offices or external entities.

This strand is particularly relevant for vulnerable asylum-seekers or persons who require in-depth support to enable them to fully access the asylum procedure, e.g. LGBTIQ+ applicants, survivors of violence, UAMs, persons with disabilities and the elderly.

Individualised information will be given during the outreach visits, where this is possible, or the individual will be referred to the aditus foundation offices or external entities.

Information given during individuals sessions mainly consists of targeted guidance for specific issues encountered by asylum-seekers in accessing services or rights whilst living in Malta and, where relevant, referrals to specialised service-providers.

Fact Sheets

During the service provision phase of the project, the project team gathered the most relevant and pressing issues commonly felt by newly-arrived asylum-seekers. Five Fact Sheets were drawn up on the basis of the needs identified and were translated into key languages: English, French, Arabic, Tigrinya, Somali and Bengali.

The sheets will help fill the information gap felt by the new arrivals and provide accessible, user-friendly information on key aspects of the life of an asylum-seeker in Malta. The sheets may beavailable to all new arrivals, Open Centres, NGOs and other places of contact.

Information Video Clips

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic we realised that due to a lack of access to newly-arrived persons and asylum-seekers there was a serious information gap. We also realised that much of what was done in person was now being shifted online, including information giving to asylum-seekers.

We therefore, converted the factsheets into 3 short information video-clips explaining the asylum interview, the asylum appeal and Dublin procedures in English which were then translated into French and Arabic. These video clips were shared on social media on our aditus youtube channel.

Furthermore, due to the invasion and ensuing conflict in Ukraine, we also published information relating to the Temporary Protection procedures to those fleeing Ukraine:

English to Arabic Translator & Interpreter Urgently Needed!

We are looking for interpreters and translators for English to Arabic. Translators are needed to translate information documents and Interpreters could be needed for information sessions we intend to deliver in Open and closed Centres, or for other work with our clients in our office. We are not able to offer employment, and cannot give an estimate of the number of hours we could require. Interested persons should have a VAT number. Translators should get in touch with Marine by email or via telephone (+356 20106295). We read more

COVID Notices in different languages

These translations were supported by the Support Services for Newly-Arrived Asylum-Seekers, partially funded by the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF). 16/02/2020 20/03/2020 22/03/2020 27/03/20202 30/03/2020 Check out our Know Your Rights! page to download the project Fact Sheets, and many others! Want more information? Contact our project contact point, Carla on carlacamilleri@aditus.org.mt. You can also Subscribe to our News and Updates to be kept updated on this and all other projects and initiatives.

Visit our brand new project pages!

Support Services for Newly-Arrived Asylum-Seekers Project Description The project will focus on supporting newly-arrived asylum-seekers. The rationale for this stems from an understanding that providing this group with sufficient information and guidance as soon as possible not only seeks to empower individuals and support their self-reliance, but it also reduces the administrative workload of government entities in dealing with subsequent queries and misinformed applicants. This project is partially funded by the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF). Follow this link read more

Check out our Know Your Rights! page to download the project Fact Sheets, and many others!

Want more information? Contact our project contact point, Carla on carlacamilleri@aditus.org.mt).

You can also Subscribe to our News and Updates to be kept updated on this and all other projects and initiatives.