“We are a one-stop shop.”
The association APARE, Périgourdine Association for Action and Research on Exclusion, now has the task of supporting Ukrainian refugees who have arrived in the Dordogne. In charge of a single platform on which refugees who wish to do so can register, it then offers them “a diagnosis of need”. A meeting in its premises, with a translator, during which the social workers of the association list the needs, medical, educational and seek with the refugees the solutions to which they have access.
Access to European temporary protection status
“We identify the needs” explains Nadine Spettnagel, President of APARE. That day around the table, Katerina, her daughter Valeria, her mother, her partner and a friend who fled Ukraine with them. During the meeting all topics are covered the medical needs of each family member, Valéria’s educational level and her desire to return to school, this family’s desire to stay together, up to the members of their family living in Austria whom he may wish to join, all questions are asked. “The first step is to determine if these people want to stay in France, in which case they will apply for asylum, or if they want to obtain European temporary protection status. It’s not the same thing, making their choice is the first thing to do before making an appointment at the prefecture to start a procedure and give them access to rights, allow them to access healthcare and send children to school.” explains Nadine Spettnagel, immediately interrupted by the translator. Katerina wants to get temporary protection, her mother plans to find the part of the family that lives in Austria, the family needs to know if her status will follow them to Austria. “Well don’t move, we’ll call our interlocutor.” And it’s like that at each meeting, a series of questions to which the association tries to answer as quickly and as clearly as possible.
A heavy workload that pushes the association to quickly consider recruitment to ensure these appointments and best respond to refugee families arriving in the Dordogne.
Already 31 people supported
Responsible for the orientation of refugees in their administrative procedures by the prefect, the association already supports 31 refugeesin addition to the 500 people it accompanies as part of its many other missions.
The organization insists: to stand out, refugees must send an email at the following address [email protected], or go to 143 rue Combe-des-Dames in Périgueux from Monday to Saturday from 2 p.m. to 5.30 p.m.
For the Périgourdins who wish to offer a housing solution can report on this platform: [email protected].