Relocation of Asylum Seekers and Refugees

Relocation is an intra-EU process through which EU Member States help one another to cope with the pressure on their asylum systems resulting from sudden influxes by relocating persons in need of international protection who have requested asylum. Relocation is an expression of internal EU solidarity and responsibility sharing, particularly with those countries at the external borders of the European Union that are most affected by sudden increases in the arrival of asylum seekers.

IOM Portugal assists with the relocation of asylum seekers from Malta, Italy and Greece as part of Portugal’s commitment to responsibilities sharing and intra-European solidarity. Our support includes:

• Conducting migration health assessments before departure;
• Organizing Pre-Departure Orientation for refugees;
• Managing the movements of refugees;

Pre-migration health activities

The assessment of the health status of beneficiaries before departure is necessary to ensure a dignified and safe trip, to prevent public health situations and to guarantee the necessary medical care after arrival in Portugal, which it is fundamental for the integration of these people.

In addition to carrying out medical exams, with the onset of the pandemic caused by Covid-19, IOM started to conduct PCR tests to everyone up to 72 hours before the flight, and only those who tested negative were considered suitable to travel.

IOM organizes pre-migration health activities for all beneficiaries travelling from Italy and Greece.

Pre-departure orientation

The pre-departure orientation is a first training for refugees and asylum seekers before departing to Portugal, with the aim of informing them about reception conditions and access to services and working on expectations and attitudes to face the transition to a new life.

To better prepare them for their arrival in Portugal, IOM conducts face-to-face sessions in Greece, Malta and Italy prior to their flight. We provide detailed information about the residence and asylum application process, the support received over the 18 months, access to education and Portuguese classes, job search and reception conditions.

Whenever possible, IOM invites host entities to participate in these sessions through a video call, to provide a first moment between refugees or asylum seekers and the teams that will host them, so both parties can ask questions and get to know each other.

Information sessions for local actors

To provide initial support for integration, IOM organizes information session to address topics such as the relocation process and its activities, the role of the IOM, cultural adaptation processes, beneficiaries' countries of origin and other cross-cutting issues. IOM develops  that support the participation of all actors involved and allows them to clarify any concerns and topics about the entire process that precedes the arrival of refugees and asylum seekers in Portugal.