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UNHCR praises Kilkenny for its support to resettled refugees
Stories, 22 June 2009
DUBLIN, Ireland, June 22 (UNHCR) – UNHCR's representative Manuel Jordao has praised the efforts of local service providers and support groups working in Kilkenny helping to integrate Sudanese refugees resettled there last year.
"I'm impressed by the commitment and spirit of the steering committee in Kilkenny. Resettled refugees often need additional support to start their lives over in a new country, but I have no doubts with the excellent support they are receiving in Kilkenny that they'll soon be contributing back to this wonderful city. It's heartening to see local service providers and support groups working together like this. It speaks volumes of their generosity."
UNHCR travelled this week to Kilkenny where the Office of the Minister for Integration is supporting efforts to integrate 71 Sudanese refugees brought to Ireland under an Irish resettlement quota in 2008.
The Minister's Office funds a one year integration programme for the refugees after which services must be provided by mainstream services.
Recalling findings in in Mapping Integration, UNHCR's own study of integration in Ireland earlier this year, Jordao said most countries find individual and targeted support is initially the best approach for refugees.
Three Sudanese families UNHCR visited at home were full of warm praise for the generosity of people and services in Kilkenny. They were finding their feet and most could now begin to independently use services without assistance.
They had some concerns including their progress in learning English, access to third level education, family reunification and managing payment of bills.
Jordao said he was impressed by the progress the families had made and by the programme funded by the Minister for Integration's Office.
"The programme gives practical skills and confidence to resettled refugees from managing appliances in the home to putting a little money aside to pay the bills. This may be second nature to people in Ireland, but refugees who've often come from camps where they relied on food rations, or cooked on wood-burning stoves need some pointers just to get started."
"What I've seen here and elsewhere before is the younger members of the families thriving in their new surroundings. It's marvellous to see these kids having a bright future."
"Refugees are an exceptional group in many ways. They are not like migrants. They cannot return to their own countries out of fear for their lives and freedom. Given their extraordinary circumstances, I'd hope some way could be found to allow them access. The earlier they are given the opportunity to fully integrate the better for them and the better for Ireland."
Manuel Jordao, UNHCR Representative in Ireland
One Sudanese refugee UNHCR met was frustrated by the residency rules making him ineligible for a free third level course because he had not resided in Ireland for more than 3 years.
While access to third-level education was not going to be relevant for all refugees, Jordao said it was clearly an important one for the successful integration of the few that are able to contribute enormously to Ireland by having this opportunity.
"Refugees are an exceptional group in many ways. They are not like migrants. They cannot return to their own countries out of fear for their lives and freedom. Given their extraordinary circumstances, I'd hope some way could be found to allow them access. The earlier they are given the opportunity to fully integrate the better for them and the better for Ireland."
UNHCR earlier this year published a research report into integration both in selected European countries and in Ireland. Not surprisingly the research showed that education plays an important role for integration. Those among the participating refugees who had enrolled in Irish schools or other education showed that they had a better grasp of Irish society, its history and values.
The importance of education was also made clear in relation to access to the labour market with as many as 12% mentioning lack recognition of qualification as a hindrance to get employment and 15% saying they lacked relevant experience for the job market.
Being able to scale-up existing qualifications was also of particular importance for employment and one of the key components identified in the report for successful integration.
When asked if there was any recommendations to the Irish government to make integration more easy, one of the youth participants replied "having access to third level education without residence requirements" would facilitate integration.
To read UNHCR's report, Mapping Integration, click here.