ICAR

Current Situation

Refugees

In 2005 Cardiff County Council estimated the number of refugees in Cardiff to be somewhere around 6000 (Sherrie, 2007). The number of refugees in Cardiff has increased dramatically since Cardiff became a dispersal area. Furthermore, some have been attracted by the previously established Somali and Yemeni communities.  

In 2005 Butetown was the area with the highest proportion of non-white and mixed race residents at almost 35%. Riverside had the second highest (Cardiff Communities First, 2005). The geographical spread of refugees is similar.

 

 

Prior to the dispersal of asylum seekers to Cardiff there were only 8 organisations that provided any targeted assistance to refugees, and few refugee community organisations (RCOs). Furthermore decision-makers did not consider refugees and their needs to be an important issue (Robinson, 1999). Since dispersal however there has been an improvement in the number of services and the Welsh National Assembly has demonstrated a more positive political attitude to asylum, despite some arguments that it has been slow to realise its responsibility (Welsh refugee Council, 2007). The Refugee Inclusion Strategy (2008) demonstrates a higher level of commitment.

Asylum Seekers

At any one time there are about 2300 asylum seekers dispersed across four cluster areas in Wales. Cardiff receives the most at around 49%. In April 2009 52% of asylum seekers in Wales were made up of families, and in 33% of the families a woman was head of the household. (www.newport.gov.uk)

In Cardiff at the end of June 2009 there were 980 asylum seekers receiving UKBA (NASS) support and in supported accommodation (Home Office, 2009).

It is important to note that there are some differences between policy in Wales and the rest of the UK concerning asylum seekers:

• ESOL Provision: Welsh Assembly Government provides free ESOL for asylum seekers, whereas in the rest of the UK there are restrictions.
• Health: New NHS regulations in Wales grant asylum seekers, and failed asylum seekers, free health care. In the UK the government has no such responsibility.

Sian Summers from Displaced People in Action argues that the Welsh Assembly Government has a different perspective towards asylum seekers and refugees. She suggests that unlike the UK government Welsh policy looks to support refugees and asylum seekers living in Wales and promotes integration.

Whilst the Welsh National Assembly has declared that it is taking steps to accommodate asylum seekers in Wales, legal provisions and mental health services are deficient and there is also a need for more outreach work to support vulnerable asylum seekers and refugees (Sian Summers, DPIA). Furthermore, it remains the case that the worst areas of deprivation in Wales are also the areas in Cardiff where the greatest numbers of asylum seekers live (Threadgold, 2008).

Key Organisations

Displaced People in Action

"DPIA works for the relief of those seeking asylum and those granted refugee status that are in conditions of need, hardship and distress and to promote the integration of those seeking asylum and those granted refugee status by delivering following services" (DPIA services poster). Services include; readiness for work, refugee inclusion and employment service and ESOL classes. DPIA also offers support and guidance for promoting the development of RCOs and in doing so hopes to promote community development. Furthermore DPIA provides refugee awareness training and promotes cross cultural activities as part of the organisation's inclusion initiative.

Refugee Voice Wales

In 2004 Refugee Voice Wales was formed: an umbrella group based in Cardiff that represents Welsh Refugee Community Organisations. It was formed by a number of RCO leaders intending to empower refugees and asylum seekers and provide a platform upon which their voices would be listened to. Projects and policy groups include: The All Wales Inclusion Policy, Refugee Week, Media Working Group, Progress to Work Centre, Community Development Cymru and the Refugees and Asylum Seekers Welcome (www.refugeevoicewales.org)

Somali Integration Society

The Somali Integration Society was established to enable the Somali community to become self-sufficient and independent, whilst allowing them to function and gain recognition as equal and essential members of society and the Cardiff community (http://sisuk.org/aims/).

 

 

 

 

Last Updated: 06/10/09

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