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Selection

When UNHCR has identified refugees in need of resettlement and submitted their cases to a resettlement country, the decision as to whether or not to accept the refugees for resettlement is taken by the authorities of the resettlement country. Some countries carry out resettlement or selection missions in the host country, while others do dossier selection. During a selection mission, interviews with the refugees are carried out on site in the host country.

The purpose of a selection interview is to examine factors related to the need for international protection and the need for resettlement. Some countries may have additional criteria framed by their national contexts. Factors such as medical or specific needs and vulnerabilities can also be further explored in the interview, as well as confirmation of family composition and background information such as place of residence.

There may also be the necessity to examine issues related to exclusion. A part of the interview might also cover the sharing of expectations and an opportunity for the refugees to ask questions.

Information provision

Provide correct information to refugees is of utmost importance from the beginning of the resettlement process. Refugees may be nervous about the procedure, and a good way to ease this nervousness is to create a safe and pleasant atmosphere maybe having a presentation of the team and informing them about the selection procedure of the resettlement process in general.

It is essential that all the family members understand the step-by-step process and that the refugees are provided with clear and consistent information on limits and possibilities of resettlement.

Having in mind the difficult situation that refugees might have experienced, the possible traumas that follow the departure of the country of origin and the problems in the country of asylum, it is crucial to manage unrealistic expectations that refugees might have both in terms of obtaining a resettlement place and the opportunities in the resettlement country as well. Resettlement officers should keep the focus on realistic options and not make any commitment.

All family members should receive correct information, since the expectation and needs of women/girls/children may differ substantially from those of other family members.

Information can be provided orally before/after the selection interview, or through other way such as leaflets, posters, websites, etc.

Preparatory briefing

It is a common practice among resettlement states to brief refugees and explain to them what to expect from the resettlement process before the start of the resettlement interview. Content and length may vary between states.

Because these types of briefings are usually provided before the start of the interview, it is important to keep in mind that the refugees may be focused on the interview and may have difficulty in retrieving and remembering what has been communicated to them. Thus, it is important to limit the information and to focus on the most imminent, i.e. the interview itself and the process of selection. This is not the best time to provide detailed information on the country of resettlement. It could, however, be useful to highlight some key messages on the procedure or on the consequences of resettlement.

The Operational Tool on Resettlement – Guiding note for preparatory briefing for refugees provides a sample of topics that may be important to highlight in the briefing session. Guiding note for preparatory briefings for refugees (europa.eu)