Asylum Seeker Populations Research Articles

Health status assessment of a population of asylum seekers in Northern Italy

BackgroundSince 2011 Italy has faced an extraordinary increase in migrants arrivals, mainly from the Mediterranean route, one of the world’s most dangerous journeys. The purpose of the present article is to provide a comprehensive picture of the migrants' health status in the "T. Fenoglio" centre, Settimo Torinese (Turin, Italy).MethodsA retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted using data collected from June 2016 to May 2018 on adult migrants (over 18 years old) from Africa, Middle East and South East Asia (Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Nepal). Data was collected through the migrants' medical records. Descriptive statistics were performed on socio-demographic variables. The diagnosed diseases were anonymously registered and classified according to the International Classification of Primary Care (ICPC-2).Conditional Inference Trees were used to perform a descriptive analysis of the sample and to detect the covariates with the strongest association with the variables Disease on arrival, Disease after arrival, ICPC on arrival and ICPC after arrival.ResultsAnalyzed observations were 9 857. 81.8% were men, median age was 23 (Interquartile range: 20.0–27.4). 70.3% of the sample came from Sub-Saharan Africa. 2 365 individuals (24%) arrived at the centre with at least one disease. On arrival, skin (27.71%), respiratory (14.46%), digestive (14.73%) and generic diseases (20.88%) were the most frequent. During the stay respiratory diseases were the most common (25.70%). The highest probability of arriving with a disease occurred in 2018 and during the period September–November 2016, in particular for people from the Horn of Africa. During this period and also in the first half of 2017, skin diseases were the most reported. In seasons with lower prevalence of diseases on arrival the most common disease code was generic for both men and women (usually fever or trauma).ConclusionsThis study provides information on the diverse diseases that affect the asylum seekers population. In our sample, the Horn of Africa was the most troubled area of arrival, with severe conditions frequently reported regarding skin diseases, in particular scabies. 2018 was the most critical year, especially for migrants from the Horn of Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa. During the stay at the camp, the prevalence of respiratory diseases increased. However, skin diseases remained the main issue for people from the Horn of Africa. Overall, the most reported diseases in the sample were dermatological, respiratory, digestive and generic diseases, both on arrival and during the stay.A better understanding of the health status of asylum seekers is an important factor to determine a more efficient reception and integration process and a better allocation of economic resources in the context of migrants' health care.

Prevalence of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among refugees: a meta-analysis

BackgroundSuicidal ideation and attempts are one of the most serious mental health problems affecting refugees. Risk factors such as mental disorders, low socio-economic status, and stressful life events all contribute to making refugees a high-risk group. For this reason, this meta-analysis aims to investigate the prevalence of suicidal ideation and attempts among refugees in non-clinical populations.MethodWe searched PubMed, Web of Science, PubPsych, and PsycInfo for articles reporting (period) prevalence rates of suicidal ideation and attempts. Inclusion criteria were the population of refugees or asylum seekers (aged 16 years and older), assessment of the prevalence of suicidal ideation and attempts in empirical studies in cross-sectional or longitudinal settings, written in English, and published by August 2020. Exclusion criteria were defined as a population of immigrants who have lived in the host country for a long time, studies that examined children and adolescents younger than 16 years, and research in clinical samples. Overall prevalence rates were calculated using Rstudio.ResultsOf 294 matches, 11 publications met the inclusion criteria. The overall period prevalence of suicidal ideation was 20.5% (CI: 0.11–0.32, I2 = 98%, n = 8), 22.3% (CI: 0.10–0.38, I2 = 97%, n = 5) for women, and 27.7% for men (CI: 0.14–0.45, I2 = 93%, n = 3). Suicide attempts had an overall prevalence of 0.57% (CI: 0.00–0.02, I2 = 81%, n = 4).ConclusionThere is a great lack of epidemiological studies on suicidal ideation and attempts among refugees. The high prevalence of suicidal ideation indicates the existence of heavy psychological burden among this population. The prevalence of suicide attempts is similar to that in non-refugee populations. Because of the large heterogeneity between studies, the pooled prevalence estimates must be interpreted with caution. The results underline the need for systematic and standardized assessment and treatment of suicidal ideation and attempts.

Reflections on mental healthcare for an asylum seeker population caught in limbo on the Greek island of Samos.

A psychiatry trainee reflects on a period of work on the Greek island of Samos with the international medical non-governmental organisation Medécins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders, providing mental health and psychosocial support to asylum seekers. The clinic provided services to asylum seekers who were living in a crowded refugee camp, many of whom were experiencing symptoms of severe mental illness. The author reflects on the nature and severity of these presentations, and questions the role of psychiatry in treating mental illness that is clearly exacerbated by circumstances resulting from European asylum policies.

Perspektif Hukum dalam Perlindungan Hak Asasi Manusia terhadap Pengungsi (Refugees) dan Pencari Suaka (Asylum Seekers) di Indonesia Dalam Penanganan Pengungsi di Luar Negeri Pada Masa Pandemi Covid-19

The form of a state is the basis of one of the state instruments whose threats originating from external to the state must be considered. With state security instruments originating from external threats, it is necessary to have cooperation from various state instruments, both institutions that are under the auspices of the executive, legislative and judicial tasks. One of the instruments of state institutions that have security and carry out these tasks is the Directorate General of Immigration, which apart from the services of Kei, Law Enforcement and Facilitator of Community Welfare Development, one of the functions referred to in the above discussion is the state. The legal basis held by Immigration is Law Number 6 of 2011 concerning Immigration and several other legal instruments for security and other supervision. The Directorate General of Immigration detected several other agencies related to the duties of state security instruments. The state problems that have occurred in Indonesia related to security lately are the presence of a population of Refugees and Asylum seekers in Indonesia, the largest number of Refugees (Refugees) in Indonesia are Refugees who come from Afghan citizens. The reason the country has many large-scale refugee movements is because the country has reached an internal conflict in their country, and there are many phenomena of human rights violations such as violence, and inequality against women which is a basis for the freedom of a person's rights. The State of Indonesia legally and legally does not handle problems against Refugees (Refugees) because the State of Indonesia does not have the 1951 convention and the 1962 Protocol in Geneva, Switzerland which intensively discusses the handling of Refugees which was adopted by the United Nations as a form of elaboration of the United Nations (UN) Charter. and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, in which the agreement intends to address and address the problems of Refugees, whether from threats of violence, rebellion, murder for various reasons due to ethnicity, race, religion and other political interests.

Screening for neglected tropical diseases and other infections in refugee and asylum-seeker populations in the United Kingdom.

Asylum-seekers and refugees have an increased burden of infections compared with the general population. This has been widely recognised by countries welcoming those fleeing conflict and persecution; however, there are no screening standardised guidelines and regulatory processes. Identification of certain neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) and other infections is important for the health and well-being of the individual in addition to public health and biosecurity. In the United Kingdom, screening for infections at port of entry or after arrival is not mandatory. Those on refugee resettlement programmes will have infection screening as part of their pre-entry health assessment, but no such system exists for those claiming asylum in the United Kingdom. In this article, we have reviewed published, peer-reviewed articles looking at the approaches to screening for NTDs and infectious diseases in the United Kingdom. In addition to this, we have reviewed the literature looking at the acceptability, barriers and facilitators of these screening practices. We found that there is a heterogeneous approach to screening practices in the United Kingdom and a paucity of data to support a single ‘best practice’ approach. Based on our findings, we have made recommendations and consideration for NTD screening strategies and highlighted important areas for future research.

Dix ans de soins psychiatriques communautaires auprès des personnes requérantes d’asile à Genève. Bilan et perspectives

Transcultural psychiatry in the public sector is specifically linked to current political events. The recent ukrainian crisis is an illustration of how massive displacement of refugees can occur. Recently, the COVID-19 pandemic had consistently and in many ways weakened the vulnerable population of asylum seekers. These two major events remind us how flexible and reactive our care settings have to be, how much we need to collaborate with our partners in order to maintain creativity and quality in our interventions.

The Relationship Between Stigma and Helping-Seeking Behaviors Among Refugee, Asylum Seeker, Immigrant (RASI) Populations Specifically of Muslim Origin

In order to understand the relationship between stigma and help-seeking behaviors in refugee, asylum seeker, and immigrant (RASI) populations in the United States, this review examines stigma and its various forms: public, perceived public, self, and stigma by association. Issues which RASI populations face when immigrating to the U.S. and the effects of integrating into a new culture on stigma are also discussed. An emphasis is placed on investigating these interactions in Muslim-specific populations in further detail due to increases in discrimination toward this group in the United States since 2016. The analysis concludes by examining ways that a counselor can actively change the course of stigma. Recommendations are proffered regarding being a culturally cognizant clinician in treating this population, which is currently seeing an increase in stigmatization in the United States.

The impact of COVID-19 on migrants in Greece: a retrospective analysis of national data

BackgroundFor 56,000 refugees and asylum seekers in Reception and Identification Centres (RICs) and Reception Sites (RS) in Greece, living in severely substandard living conditions, prevention measures have been severely limited. We assessed the impact of COVID-19 on migrants in these settings.MethodsWe did a retrospective analysis of policy documents and national surveillance data to identify COVID-19 outbreaks and estimate incidence among migrants residing in these camps (26th Feb - 15th Nov 2020). Incidence proportion (IP) of COVID-19 confirmed cases was calculated for three population groups (migrant populations in RICs, migrant populations in RSs, and the general population in Greece) during three time periods (first wave, second wave, and overall across the 9-month period).Results25 outbreaks were identified in migrant reception facilities, with 6 (85.7%) of 7 RICs and 18 (56.3%) of 32 RSs reporting at least one outbreak during the study period. The overall 9-month COVID-19 IP among refugee and asylum seeker populations residing in RSs on the Greek mainland was 1,758 cases per 100,000 population; in RICs the incidence was 2,052 cases per 100,000 population. Compared to the general population the risk of COVID-19 infection among migrants in reception facilities was 2.5 to 3 times higher; the risk of acquiring COVID-19 infection was higher among migrant populations in RSs on the Greek mainland (IP ratio: 2.45; 95% CI: 2.25-2.68) but higher still among migrant populations in RICs in the Greek islands and the land border with Turkey (IP ratio: 2.86; 95% CI: 2.64-3.10), where living conditions are particularly poor.ConclusionsWe identified high levels of COVID-19 transmission among migrants in reception facilities in Greece, with immediate implications for policy and practice to ensure refugee and asylum seeker populations are included in national response plans to reduce transmission, alongside ensuring their inclusion in plans for COVID-19 vaccine roll out.Key messages Thousands of migrants in Greece live in severely substandard conditions and largely excluded from the COVID-19 response.We identified high levels of COVID-19 transmission among migrants in reception facilities in Greece, with immediate implications for policy and practice.

Prevalence of complex post-traumatic stress disorder in refugees and asylum seekers: systematic review.

Refugees and asylum seekers often report having experienced numerous complex traumas. It is important to understand the prevalence of complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD), which can follow complex traumas. This systematic review aims to summarise the available literature reporting the prevalence in refugees and asylum seekers of three operationalised definitions of CPTSD: the ICD-11 diagnostic criteria, the ICD-10 criteria (for enduring personality change after catastrophic experience) and the DSM-IV criteria (for disorders of extreme stress not otherwise specified). Six electronic databases were searched for studies reporting the prevalence of CPTSD in adult refugee and/or asylum-seeking samples. Owing to heterogeneity between the studies, a narrative synthesis approach was used to summarise studies. Methodological quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Critical Appraisal Checklist for Prevalence Studies. This systematic review has been registered with PROSPERO (registration number CRD42020188422, https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=188422). Systematic searches identified 15 eligible studies, with 10 examining treatment-seeking samples and five using population samples. CPTSD prevalence in treatment-seeking samples was between 16 and 38%. Prevalence in population samples ranged from 2.2 to 9.3% in four studies, with the fifth reporting a much higher estimate (50.9%). This review highlights both the high prevalence of CPTSD in treatment samples and the lack of research aiming to establish prevalence of CPTSD in refugee and asylum-seeking populations. Understanding the prevalence of these disabling disorders has implications for policy and healthcare services for the appropriate promotion, planning and provision of suitable treatment and interventions for this highly traumatised population.

Colonial afterlives of infrastructure: from phosphate to refugee processing in the republic of Nauru

ABSTRACT Recent years have witnessed the outsourcing of immigration and border controls to economically struggling states. Infrastructural projects around controlling migration are transforming localities in the Global South: from shifting legal and political economic systems to altering socialities between migrant and local populations. Drawing on ethnographic research conducted in the Republic of Nauru, this paper considers how past and present infrastructural forms give shape to the ways that (in)justices are created. Nauru, the world’s smallest island state, was almost entirely economically dependent on the phosphate industry in the twentieth century. After the wealth it derived from phosphate extraction was depleted in the 1990s, the sovereign state resurged on the back of the refugee industry by importing Australia’s maritime asylum seeking populations. In this paper, I examine the material life of infrastructure around managing migration in Nauru’s 21 km2 locality, including the toxic interrelationships between phosphate and refugee processing, the industries’ built environments, and the people who live and work in them. I explore how Nauru’s refugee project has reconfigured colonial infrastructural forms, practices of dependency, and socio-legal affiliations as the country is refashioned as a company town in line with new forms of human production.

Photovoice accounts of third places: Refugee and asylum seeker populations' experiences of therapeutic space.

This article draws on a photo-voice project carried out in the North West, UK, with 30 members of the asylum seeker and refugee population. The findings explore participants' experiences of 'third places' (for example, public green space and libraries), that were distinctly set apart from the domestic dwelling (first places), and institutional sites of exclusion, for example, immigration reporting centres (second places). These third places became affective sanctuaries that allowed for emotional retreat in the midst of the UK's exclusionary and repressive asylum regime. Moreover, for this group third places were places where participants could (re)connect with identities beyond the refugee label, and where cultural and transnational ties could be fostered. It is important that policy makers do not overlook the significance of third places for the wellbeing of community members, particularly asylum seeker and refugee populations.

A cross-sectional survey of sociodemographic characteristics, primary care health needs and living conditions of asylum-seekers living in a Greek reception centre

BackgroundIn 2019, a migrant camp on the Greek island of Samos designed for 650 people was home to a growing population of over 5500. We aimed to quantitatively describe living conditions and health needs in the camp.MethodsA questionnaire was designed with reference to international humanitarian standards, following a consultative process with the asylum-seeker population. Domains assessed included demographics, living conditions, safety/vulnerability, and health. The questionnaire was piloted and then conducted in June 2019 on a sample of asylum seekers.ResultsFive hundred participants, predominantly from Afghanistan and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Of these, 79.4% lived in tents. Respondents cared for a total of 570 children; 20.6% of women were pregnant, 35.4% had experienced violence, 83% psychological distress, 71% skin disease, 66% diarrhoea and vomiting, and 64% respiratory disease. Accommodation, sanitation, and nutrition fell below internationally recognised standards, and poor access to water was significantly associated (p < 0.001) with respiratory disease, diarrhoea and vomiting, skin disease ,and psychological distress.ConclusionsLiving conditions in the Samos camp fall below basic humanitarian standards and are associated with poor health status. Further research is imperative to analyse and monitor the diverse, varying needs of asylum-seekers and inform policies to improve conditions.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on refugees and asylum seekers in Greece: A retrospective analysis of national surveillance data from 2020.

BackgroundMigrants globally, including refugees and asylum seekers, have experienced adverse clinical and socioeconomic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. For approximately 56,000 refugees and asylum seekers in Reception and Identification Centers (RICs) and Reception Sites (RS) in Greece, living in severely substandard living conditions, prevention measures have been impossible with limited provision in terms of routine testing, surveillance, and access to healthcare. These migrant populations have experienced prolonged lockdowns and restricted movement since the pandemic began. We aimed to assess the impact of COVID-19 on refugees and asylum seekers in reception facilities in Greece and explore implications for policy and practice.MethodsA retrospective analysis of policy documents and national surveillance data was conducted to identify COVID-19 outbreaks and estimate incidence among asylum seekers and refugees residing in these camps during the first 9 months of the epidemic in Greece (26th February – 15th November 2020). Incidence proportion (IP) of COVID-19 confirmed cases was calculated for three population groups (refugees and asylum seekers in RICs, refugees and asylum seekers in RSs, and the general population in Greece) during three time periods (first wave, second wave, and overall across the 9-month period).FindingsTwenty-five COVID-19 outbreaks were identified in refugee and asylum seeker reception facilities, with 6 (85.7%) of 7 RICs and 18 (56.3%) of 32 RSs reporting at least one outbreak during the study period. The overall 9-month COVID-19 IP among refugee and asylum seeker populations residing in RSs on the Greek mainland was 1758 cases per 100,000 population; in RICs the incidence was 2052 cases per 100,000 population. Compared to the general population the risk of COVID-19 infection among refugees and asylum seekers in reception facilities was 2.5 to 3 times higher (p-value<0.001). The risk of acquiring COVID-19 infection was higher among refugee and asylum seeker populations in RSs on the Greek mainland (IP ratio: 2.45; 95% CI: 2.25–2.68) but higher still among refugee and asylum seeker populations in RICs in the Greek islands and the land border with Turkey (IP ratio: 2.86; 95% CI: 2.64–3.10), where living conditions are particularly poor.InterpretationWe identified high levels of COVID-19 transmission among refugees and asylum seekers in reception facilities in Greece. The risk of COVID-19 infection among these enclosed population groups has been significantly higher than the general population of Greece, and risk increases as living conditions deteriorate. These data have immediate implications for policy and practice. Strategies are now needed to ensure refugee and asylum seeker populations are included in national response plans to reduce transmission in at-risk groups for COVID-19, alongside inclusion in plans for COVID-19 vaccine roll out.FundingNone.

Exploring Parenting Narratives in Asylum Seeking Populations in Sweden: Examining the Effect of Post-Migration Stress on Families through Grounded Theory

Abstract Empirical evidence shows that asylum seekers experience a range of stressors in a post-migration context that can contribute to poor mental health. Few studies have considered how post-migration stressors affect the family unit, specifically with a focus on parenting and child outcomes. In 2018 and 2019, interviews were conducted with asylum seeking parents (27 families) in a small community in Sweden. A grounded theory research design approach found an overarching category of lack of agency amongst parents which linked with three subcategories; a new normal, managing official processes and poor physical and mental health. Within each subcategory, the role of parenting was examined. Parents living through the asylum seeking process reported experiencing few rights, concerns about housing and money, as well as a constant fear of being repatriated, and these factors contributed to a deterioration in both their own as well as their children’s mental health. Implications and suggestions for future studies are included.

Communication Experiences in Primary Healthcare with Refugees and Asylum Seekers: A Literature Review and Narrative Synthesis.

Refugee and asylum seeker population numbers are rising in Western countries. Understanding the communication experiences, within healthcare encounters, for this population is important for providing better care and health outcomes. This review summarizes the literature on health consultation communication experiences of refugees and asylum seekers living in Western countries. Seven electronic databases were searched from inception to 31 March 2019. Studies were included if they aimed to improve, assess or report on communication/interaction in the primary health care consultation setting with refugees or asylum seekers, and were conducted in Western countries. A narrative synthesis of the literature was undertaken. Thematic analysis of the 21 included articles, showed that refugees and asylum seekers experience a range of communication challenges and obstacles in primary care consultations. This included practical and relational challenges of organizing and using informal and formal interpreters and cultural understanding of illness and healthcare. Non-verbal and compassionate care aspects of communication emerged as an important factor in helping improve comfort and trust between healthcare providers (HCP) and refugees and asylum seekers during a healthcare encounter. Improvements at the systems level are needed to provide better access to professional interpreters, but also support compassionate and humanistic care by creating time for HCPs to build relationships and trust with patients.

The role of asylum in processes of urban gentrification

This article analyses the relationship between the accommodation of Dispersed asylum seekers and urban gentrification in the UK. We argue that alongside other racialised and classed minorities, asylum seekers are vulnerable to spatial strategies associated with gentrification such as neighbourhood ‘dumping’, containment and ‘territorial stigmatisation’, the highly coercive quality of the UK government’s Dispersal Scheme means that any relationship between asylum and gentrification must be treated as deliberate, the result of the multiscalar interests which have a stake both in Dispersal and urban ‘development’. Drawing on empirical research conducted in Glasgow, the recipient of the largest asylum seeking population annually in the UK, we find that asylum accommodation processes and gentrification have developed a symbiotic dynamic, whereby the ‘failure’ of mid twentieth-century urban ‘regeneration’ provided means and motive for Dispersal, and Dispersal provided sufficient resources to fuel further rounds of urban ‘regeneration’. We also find that recent changes to the Dispersal contract, from a dynamic in which resources were associated with housing availability, to one in which they are associated with maximum housing capacity, have created conditions for alternative forms of gentrification, in which strategies such as rent gap suppression are seen as having potential to yield more capital than infrastructural development. Finally, we argue that the respective spatial politics of both Dispersal and gentrification must be understood as mutually-interested, coercive technologies, which work together to contain and exploit racialised and bordered urban minorities. We call for urgent further research into how the asylum border is embedded in contemporary urban spatial economies.

Refugee and Asylum-Seeking Representative Structures in South Africa: The case study of Somali, Congolese, and Ethiopian communities

AbstractUnderstanding and identifying the functions, roles, responsibilities, accountability, and decision-making processes within the representative structures of any community is important. Yet, most of the existing studies in South Africa do not provide sufficient knowledge or insights about the representative structures and communities of refugees and asylum-seeking populations in the country. In general, there is inadequate discussion on the topic in the literature. This research focused on the representative and protection structures that are available to Somali, Ethiopian, and Congolese refugees and asylum seekers in the urban centres of Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Musina. Within this overarching objective, indicators such as leadership, legitimacy, representation, management skills, networks/partnerships, accountability, transparency, and effectiveness were used to gather information regarding refugees and asylum-seeking representative structures. This empirical research also has provided a detailed description of the manner in which refugee-led organizations, associations and self-help groups.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Migrants, Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Greece: A Retrospective Analysis of National Surveillance Data (Feb-Nov 2020)

Background: Migrants globally have experienced adverse clinical and socio-economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. For approximately 56,000 refugees and asylum seekers in Reception and Identification Centres (RICs) and Reception Sites (RS) in Greece, living in severely substandard living conditions, prevention measures have been impossible with limited provision in terms of routine testing, surveillance, and access to healthcare. These migrant populations have experienced prolonged lockdowns and restricted movement since the pandemic began. We aimed to assess the impact of COVID-19 on migrants residing in reception facilities in Greece and explore implications for policy and practice. Methods: A retrospective analysis of policy documents and national surveillance data was conducted to identify COVID-19 outbreaks and estimate incidence among asylum seekers and refugees residing in these camps during the first 9 months of the epidemic in Greece (26th Feb - 15th Nov 2020). Incidence proportion (IP) of COVID-19 confirmed cases was calculated for three population groups (migrant populations in RICs, migrant populations in RSs, and the general population in Greece) during three time periods (first wave, second wave, and overall across the 9-month period). Findings: Twenty-five COVID-19 outbreaks were identified in migrant reception facilities, with 6 (85.7%) of 7 RICs and 18 (56.3%) of 32 RSs reporting at least one outbreak during the study period. The overall 9-month COVID-19 IP among refugee and asylum seeker populations residing in RSs on the Greek mainland was 1,758 cases per 100,000 population; in RICs the incidence was 2,052 cases per 100,000 population. Compared to the general population the risk of COVID-19 infection among migrants in reception facilities was 2.5 to 3 times higher; the risk of acquiring COVID-19 infection was higher among migrant populations in RSs on the Greek mainland (IP ratio: 2.45; 95% CI: 2.25-2.68) but higher still among migrant populations in RICs in the Greek islands and the land border with Turkey (IP ratio: 2.86; 95% CI: 2.64-3.10), where living conditions are particularly poor. Interpretation: We identified high levels of COVID-19 transmission among migrants in reception facilities in Greece. The risk of infection among these enclosed population groups has been significantly higher than the general population of Greece, and risk increases as living conditions deteriorate. These data have immediate implications for policy and practice. Strategies are now needed to ensure refugee and asylum seeker populations are included in national response plans to reduce transmission in at-risk groups for COVID-19, alongside inclusion in plans for COVID-19 vaccine roll out. Funding: No funding was received for this piece of research.Declaration of Interests: MO is Executive Director of Lancet Migration: global collaboration to advance migration health. All other authors declare no conflicts of interest.Ethics Approval Statement: No ethics approval was required, as al the data sources are anonymous and freely available online.

Volunteering for Legal Status. Putting Asylum System Interpreters to Work in the Non-profit Sector

This article examines the manufacture of consent around the unpaid employment in the asylum-seeking population, based on an ethnographic survey of volunteer interpreters in a non-profit organisation that supports asylum seekers. While non-profit actors seek the support and loyalty of interpreters through the implementation of a selective and preferential recruitment process, the latter find in this privileged relationship the ad hoc protection necessary for their financial and administrative survival. Exiles’ volunteer work may be motivated by financial compensation, but also — in the case of those whose applications for refugee status have been refused — the promise of one day obtaining regularisation of their status. This article shows the ways in which non-profit organisations act as the guarantors of exiles’ “good conduct” in processes to obtain regularisation, by producing certificates of volunteer work, while at the same time participating in their recruitment, screening and selecting the individuals likely to be the most employable on the labour market in the future.

Individual and structural barriers to Latin American refugees and asylum seekers' access to primary and mental healthcare in Chile: A qualitative study.

BackgroundSince 2010 there has been a growing population of refugees and asylum seekers in Latin America. This study sought to investigate the perceived experiences and healthcare needs of refugees and asylum seekers of Latin American origin in Chile in order to identify main barriers to healthcare and provide guidance on allied challenges for the public healthcare system.MethodsDescriptive qualitative case study with semi-structured interviews applied to refugees and asylum seekers (n = 8), healthcare workers (n = 4), and members of Non-Governmental Organizations and religious foundations focused on working with refugees and asylum seekers in Chile (n = 2).ResultsAlthough Chilean law guarantees access to all levels of healthcare for the international migrant population, the specific healthcare needs of refugees and asylum seekers were not adequately covered. Primary care and mental healthcare were the most required types of service for participants, yet they appeared to be the most difficult to access. Difficulties in social integration -including access to healthcare, housing, and education- upon arrival and lengthy waiting times for legal status of refugees also presented great barriers to effective healthcare provision and wellbeing. Healthcare workers and members of organizations indicated the need for more information about refugee and asylum-seeking populations, their rights and conditions, as well as more effective and tailored healthcare interventions for them, especially for emergency mental healthcare situations.ConclusionsAll participants perceived that there was disinformation among institutional actors regarding the healthcare needs of refugees and asylum seekers in Chile. They also perceived that there were barriers to access to primary care and mental healthcare, which might lead to overuse of emergency services. This study highlights a sense of urgency to protect the social and healthcare needs of refugees and asylum seekers in Latin America.