Refugees in Europe

Problems of vulnerable Refugee and Asylum seekers and the necessary Psychological and/or Medical Care in Europe

People tend to think of refugees in a static way and usually it is common to distinguish only the situation of being a refugee from that of not being one. However, in reality, one must differentiate between multiple phases that refugees experience in their life cycle. The situation of having to flee is different to the situation of arriving in a more protected environment. It is also important to understand and acknowledge that the traumatic process of the refugee experience does not end in the country where they have fled to. It merely enters a new phase.

In fact, each phase in the traumatic process of coming to a new environment experienced by refugees is associated with different stress factors and differences in the availability or non-availability of the resources needed to resolve traumatic reactions. Such factors and resources include food and water, basic security, suitable accommodation, social support, psycho-social and therapeutic services, access to education and job opportunities and integration in the social, political and cultural context of the destination country.

Despite multiple efforts of regional bodies, as well as both government and civil society institutions in the respective countries of the European Union, to address the problems and needs of the refugee population and provide them with an adequate level of support and care, a number of complex issues still exist that cannot be completely solved and which require systematic action and consideration. These issues relate to various forms of insecurity experienced by all refugees within their destination countries. It is important to bear in mind that these forms of insecurity are usually inter-connected and inter-related:

Physical insecurity: Refugees may be exposed to particular risks of physical violence within their countries of exile. There has always been tension between local populations and refugees, which complicates the situation of refugees and creates a potential for inter-personal and group conflicts, characterized by reciprocal projections of insecurity and general ignorance of each others’ circumstances. Thus, they are often subject to violent attacks carried out by right-wing extremists and racist groups. Refugees may also feel physical insecurity because of the prejudices that the local population shows towards them and, as a result, their unfriendly attitude.

Psycho-social insecurity: The arrival at their destination is usually a shock as refugees realize, often after they have already arrived, that refuge guarantees them no real security. The refugees feel overwhelmed by the variety of problems they face for their survival, all of which have to be addressed at the same time. On the other hand, for the first time, here at the place of destination, they become really aware of the psychological damage they have suffered. The extent of this damage is multiplied by the problems that they are confronted with in their new environment.
Legal insecurity: Refugees often experience several forms of legal insecurity. A widespread problem experienced by refugees is a lack of official documentation such as identity cards and birth certificates - which may prevent them from access to social and medical services, finding a job, gaining access to credit and being able to move freely. Many of them have a protracted irregular legal status while waiting for decisions on their refugee status. They are not recognized as citizens of the destination country and thus they lack state protection and are at particular risk of persecution and marginalization.

Material insecurity: Refugees rarely possess many resources when they arrive in their country of exile. Yet when they arrive in their new home they must survive in a new environment with limited access to resources and opportunities. They are usually obliged to live a precarious, temporary existence, focused on mere survival, especially in the initial stages. Dependence on special support programs that themselves suffer from insufficient funding is difficult to deal with. The lack of local social networks, a foreign language, unknown social and cultural rules as well as economic environment combined with a problematic legal status make achieving financial security as good as unrealistic.