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9th SEMINAR SMES 9th SEMINAR SMES BERLIN 6-8 OCTOBER 2005 BERLIN 6-8 OCTOBER 2005 Dignity&Health Dignity&Health Denied identity – illegal Denied identity – illegal migrants: dignity and migrants: dignity and health without borders health without borders Author: Ekaterina Terzieva Author: Ekaterina Terzieva Bulgarian Red Cross /BRC/- Bulgarian Red Cross /BRC/- Youth Section /BG/ Youth Section /BG/
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9th SEMINAR SMES BERLIN 6-8 OCTOBER 2005 Dignity&Health Denied identity – illegal migrants: dignity and health without borders Author: Ekaterina Terzieva.

Jan 02, 2016

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Page 1: 9th SEMINAR SMES BERLIN 6-8 OCTOBER 2005 Dignity&Health Denied identity – illegal migrants: dignity and health without borders Author: Ekaterina Terzieva.

9th SEMINAR SMES9th SEMINAR SMESBERLIN 6-8 OCTOBER 2005BERLIN 6-8 OCTOBER 2005

Dignity&HealthDignity&HealthDenied identity – illegal migrants: Denied identity – illegal migrants: dignity and health without bordersdignity and health without borders

Author: Ekaterina TerzievaAuthor: Ekaterina TerzievaBulgarian Red Cross /BRC/- Youth Bulgarian Red Cross /BRC/- Youth

Section /BG/Section /BG/

Page 2: 9th SEMINAR SMES BERLIN 6-8 OCTOBER 2005 Dignity&Health Denied identity – illegal migrants: dignity and health without borders Author: Ekaterina Terzieva.

The The Bulgarian Bulgarian RRed ed CCrossross is a volunteer organisation, which is a part of is a volunteer organisation, which is a part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and is the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and is

guided by its fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, guided by its fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality. neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality. Through its network of volunteers in the whole country, the BRC Through its network of volunteers in the whole country, the BRC provides assistance to the vulnerable people in disaster and crisis provides assistance to the vulnerable people in disaster and crisis situations. By training programmes and activities for the benefit of situations. By training programmes and activities for the benefit of

the society, the BRC contributes to alleviate and prevent suffering in the society, the BRC contributes to alleviate and prevent suffering in all its forms, protects health and life and ensures respect for the all its forms, protects health and life and ensures respect for the

human being.human being.The The Refugee-Migrant Service Refugee-Migrant Service //RMSRMS// of BRC is committed to of BRC is committed to

facilitating refugee integration, to preventing the isolation of facilitating refugee integration, to preventing the isolation of migrants, and to promoting tolerance towards both groups in the migrants, and to promoting tolerance towards both groups in the Bulgarian society. In accordance with the Red Cross principles for Bulgarian society. In accordance with the Red Cross principles for impartiality and humanity, the RMS of BRC is trying to assist the impartiality and humanity, the RMS of BRC is trying to assist the most vulnerable refugees, to confront the xenophobia and to raise most vulnerable refugees, to confront the xenophobia and to raise the public awareness and the tolerance towards the refugees in the public awareness and the tolerance towards the refugees in

Bulgaria.Bulgaria.The Bulgarian Red Cross (BRC) has been involved in refugee The Bulgarian Red Cross (BRC) has been involved in refugee

assistance and protection since 1993. For the time being it is the assistance and protection since 1993. For the time being it is the main non-governmental organisation offering social services to and main non-governmental organisation offering social services to and

facilitating the integration of the refugees in Bulgaria. facilitating the integration of the refugees in Bulgaria. The Refugee-Migrant Service (RMS) of BRC was established in 1997 The Refugee-Migrant Service (RMS) of BRC was established in 1997 as a separate administrative and operative body within the National as a separate administrative and operative body within the National Committee. The RMS has branches in the BRC regional committees Committee. The RMS has branches in the BRC regional committees

in the cities of Haskovo, Sliven, Burgas, Blagoevgrad, Vidin. in the cities of Haskovo, Sliven, Burgas, Blagoevgrad, Vidin. In cases of emergency it works closely with the rest 25 regionalIn cases of emergency it works closely with the rest 25 regional

branches throughout the country.branches throughout the country.

Page 3: 9th SEMINAR SMES BERLIN 6-8 OCTOBER 2005 Dignity&Health Denied identity – illegal migrants: dignity and health without borders Author: Ekaterina Terzieva.

People of concern to RMS People of concern to RMS The RMS has projects offering services, financial assistance or The RMS has projects offering services, financial assistance or assistance in kind to recognised refugees, humanitarian status holders, assistance in kind to recognised refugees, humanitarian status holders, asylum seekers, stranded migrants and rejected asylum seekers. The asylum seekers, stranded migrants and rejected asylum seekers. The RMS is operational on the territory of Bulgaria. It services 1500 - 2000 RMS is operational on the territory of Bulgaria. It services 1500 - 2000 people every year. From 2005 the service offers food and medicines people every year. From 2005 the service offers food and medicines applicants fot status 'refugee' detained at the border.applicants fot status 'refugee' detained at the border.Legal backgroundLegal background The assistance to asylum seekers in procedure and to recognised The assistance to asylum seekers in procedure and to recognised refugees is included among the main activities of the BRC in the Law of refugees is included among the main activities of the BRC in the Law of the Bulgarian Red Cross (Chapter 4, article 6.) and in its Charter. the Bulgarian Red Cross (Chapter 4, article 6.) and in its Charter. The BRC is named in the Law on Refugees, as the agency to work in The BRC is named in the Law on Refugees, as the agency to work in cooperation with the government for the reception, the social cooperation with the government for the reception, the social adaptation and in all aspects of the integration of refugees in Bulgaria adaptation and in all aspects of the integration of refugees in Bulgaria (Chapter IV, article 37.1,3,4,6,7, article 38.1 and article 29). (Chapter IV, article 37.1,3,4,6,7, article 38.1 and article 29). Funding Funding The activities of the RMS of BRC have been financed by the UNHCR The activities of the RMS of BRC have been financed by the UNHCR and by European Red Cross national societies. and by European Red Cross national societies. The RMS organises charity and fund raising events with the The RMS organises charity and fund raising events with the participation of refugees and gladly accepts donations. participation of refugees and gladly accepts donations. National and International networking National and International networking The RMS of BRC collaborates with the governmental Agency for The RMS of BRC collaborates with the governmental Agency for Refugees within the Council of Ministers, the UNHCR, the IFRC/RC, Refugees within the Council of Ministers, the UNHCR, the IFRC/RC, IOM, National Service Border Police etc. Frequent contacts and IOM, National Service Border Police etc. Frequent contacts and cooperation are maintained with all the Bulgarian NGOs, active in this cooperation are maintained with all the Bulgarian NGOs, active in this field. field.

The BRC is a member of the European Council for Refugees and Exiles The BRC is a member of the European Council for Refugees and Exiles (ECRE) since 1997 and a member of the Platform of (ECRE) since 1997 and a member of the Platform of

Page 4: 9th SEMINAR SMES BERLIN 6-8 OCTOBER 2005 Dignity&Health Denied identity – illegal migrants: dignity and health without borders Author: Ekaterina Terzieva.

European Red Cross National Societies for Cooperation in the field of Refugees and Migrants (PERCO) European Red Cross National Societies for Cooperation in the field of Refugees and Migrants (PERCO) since 2000. since 2000.

All the activities of the Refugee-Migrant Service of BRC aim at preventing the isolation of the All the activities of the Refugee-Migrant Service of BRC aim at preventing the isolation of the refugees and at facilitating their integration.refugees and at facilitating their integration.

The Bulgarian Youth Red Cross participate actively in the work with imigarants and refugees. It was The Bulgarian Youth Red Cross participate actively in the work with imigarants and refugees. It was founded in 1921 and was reestablished in 1990 as a part of the Bulgarian Red Cross. founded in 1921 and was reestablished in 1990 as a part of the Bulgarian Red Cross.

In its activities BYRC follows the Strategic Work Plan of the Bulgarian Red Cross and the Youth In its activities BYRC follows the Strategic Work Plan of the Bulgarian Red Cross and the Youth Strategy and Policy of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Strategy and Policy of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

StructureStructureAccording to the Statute of BYRC, approved in October 1996, young volunteers work in clubs, According to the Statute of BYRC, approved in October 1996, young volunteers work in clubs, established in schools, universities, and others. The total number of the clubs is 463 with established in schools, universities, and others. The total number of the clubs is 463 with approximately 8 000 volunteers. Each club determines its main activities in the field of social approximately 8 000 volunteers. Each club determines its main activities in the field of social service, first aid training, health education, environmental protection, and dissemination of the service, first aid training, health education, environmental protection, and dissemination of the ideas and principles of the Red Cross. ideas and principles of the Red Cross.

Main ActivitiesMain Activities

SOCIAL WELFARE ACTIVITIES SOCIAL WELFARE ACTIVITIES As a priority BYRC develops different social welfare activities, responding in this As a priority BYRC develops different social welfare activities, responding in this way to the needs of the society. It works in the field of social welfare has two aspects. way to the needs of the society. It works in the field of social welfare has two aspects. First, to provide the most vulnerable children /including the cildren of imigrants and First, to provide the most vulnerable children /including the cildren of imigrants and refugees/ with food and clothes and, second, to put emphasis on their socialization refugees/ with food and clothes and, second, to put emphasis on their socialization and reintegration in the society. and reintegration in the society.

In relation to these and due to a good bilateral cooperation with the Swiss Red Cross Youth, In relation to these and due to a good bilateral cooperation with the Swiss Red Cross Youth, an interesting project was accomplished: 300 young volunteers were trained in an interesting project was accomplished: 300 young volunteers were trained in special courses for working with special courses for working with vulnerable vulnerable children for establishing regular contacts children for establishing regular contacts with them. with them.

Page 5: 9th SEMINAR SMES BERLIN 6-8 OCTOBER 2005 Dignity&Health Denied identity – illegal migrants: dignity and health without borders Author: Ekaterina Terzieva.

BYRC volunteers are willing to work with the so called “street children” and 30 volunteers BYRC volunteers are willing to work with the so called “street children” and 30 volunteers from Sofia were involved in distributing food and clothes among homeless children in from Sofia were involved in distributing food and clothes among homeless children in the city for a five month period. the city for a five month period.

Every year BYRC organizes a national camp for physically and mentally handicapped Every year BYRC organizes a national camp for physically and mentally handicapped and and children children of immigrants of immigrants from all over the country. Youngsters take very active part in the from all over the country. Youngsters take very active part in the organization and different activities in the course of the camp. organization and different activities in the course of the camp.

According to the agreement with Ministry of education, the education providing from the According to the agreement with Ministry of education, the education providing from the BYRC can be done in Bulgarian schools. BYRC can be done in Bulgarian schools.

Together with Austrian Red Cross we are working on the project about establishment and Together with Austrian Red Cross we are working on the project about establishment and educating of Youth Rescue Teams. Until the beginning of 2000 year there are 12 educating of Youth Rescue Teams. Until the beginning of 2000 year there are 12 established Youth Rescue Teams – Sofia, Plovdiv, Pleven, Blagoevgrad, Varna, established Youth Rescue Teams – Sofia, Plovdiv, Pleven, Blagoevgrad, Varna, Montana, Vidin, V. Tarnovo, Pazardgik, Shumen, Vratsa and Kjustendil.The members Montana, Vidin, V. Tarnovo, Pazardgik, Shumen, Vratsa and Kjustendil.The members of these teams are in first aid, psychological support, orientation, communication, of these teams are in first aid, psychological support, orientation, communication, survival in severely extreme conditions, etc. The aims of the project are establishment survival in severely extreme conditions, etc. The aims of the project are establishment and maintaining of 28 Youth Rescue Teams, one per each region in the country, to act and maintaining of 28 Youth Rescue Teams, one per each region in the country, to act together with the other services in case of disasters. together with the other services in case of disasters. I mentioned this kind of activities I mentioned this kind of activities because our volunteers were actively involved and used their knowledge in the last because our volunteers were actively involved and used their knowledge in the last months when Bulgaria was damaged by devastating floods all over the voluntary. We months when Bulgaria was damaged by devastating floods all over the voluntary. We helped to thousand people who were victims of the disaster.helped to thousand people who were victims of the disaster.

BYRC will work together with Disaster preparedness and Relief Department in disaster BYRC will work together with Disaster preparedness and Relief Department in disaster preparedness and disaster relief programmes. preparedness and disaster relief programmes.

BRCY organizes processions relating to DRUG-prevention. The main purpose is to unite BRCY organizes processions relating to DRUG-prevention. The main purpose is to unite thousands of young people rising against DRUGS. The BRCY has a lot of trainers and thousands of young people rising against DRUGS. The BRCY has a lot of trainers and peer-leaders, trained to train young people in DRUG-prevention, AIDS-prevention, etc. peer-leaders, trained to train young people in DRUG-prevention, AIDS-prevention, etc. including among migrant groups.including among migrant groups.

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Conclusions:Conclusions:

1.1. More active work for realization of the leagal imigrants on the More active work for realization of the leagal imigrants on the labour market. The main problem is connected with a high level labour market. The main problem is connected with a high level of unemployment in Bulgaria in the context economical crisis and of unemployment in Bulgaria in the context economical crisis and competion on the labour market.competion on the labour market.

2. Social integration of imigrant groups at risk of social exclusion.2. Social integration of imigrant groups at risk of social exclusion.

3. Elimination of discriminatory practices for refugees and 3. Elimination of discriminatory practices for refugees and imigrants.imigrants.

4. Special work for adecuate help of imigrants and refugees with 4. Special work for adecuate help of imigrants and refugees with menthal problems.menthal problems.

5. Lifelong learning, improved training structures and systems for 5. Lifelong learning, improved training structures and systems for work with imigrants and especialy with women and children.work with imigrants and especialy with women and children.

6. Promotion of self-initiative for better social integration of the 6. Promotion of self-initiative for better social integration of the imigrants as improvement of language skills and qualification. imigrants as improvement of language skills and qualification.

7. Equal opportunities for men and women. 7. Equal opportunities for men and women.

Page 7: 9th SEMINAR SMES BERLIN 6-8 OCTOBER 2005 Dignity&Health Denied identity – illegal migrants: dignity and health without borders Author: Ekaterina Terzieva.