The first weeks in a new country can be potentially overwhelming, and refugees can experience a cultural shock. This period is crucial to lay down solid bases for the refugees’ future.
The reception process in the resettlement programmes among European Countries may differ. Usually, EU+ countries meet refugees at the airport, possibly with interpreters, and organise the transit in the reception accommodation, before moving to permanent housing on a second phase (the length of phases can very among European Countries).
This initial phase is also a good moment to provide refugees with a more practical orientation.
Information provision
The information provision upon arrival is to be intended as an ongoing process, from the first phase of reception, until the integration period.
At the very beginning, it could be useful to support refugees about how to accomplish tasks necessary for their daily life (labour market, banking, schooling system, health system, public transportation, shopping etc.).
The information provision continues from the reception period to the integration through, for example, the provision of language courses, and the involvement of NGOs, volunteers, diasporas that can further support the integration process.
It is important to be consistent in the information provided to refugees and to maintain linkages between the pre-departure and the post-arrival orientations.
Information related to the accommodation for resettled refugees
Once the resettlement country has identified the place where the selected refugees will be accommodated upon arrival, they can convey specific information related to the accommodation for resettled refugees.
To avoid misunderstandings between refugees and professionals working in the national reception system, it can be helpful to use the Operational Tools for Resettlement: Template for an Accommodation Information Note. Template for an Accommodation Information Note | European Union Agency for Asylum (europa.eu) This document contains a checklist of information items about the accommodations and services that are going to be provided to a refugee.