In Spain, 133,015 applications are currently pending. More than 133,000 people, that is, live in uncertainty. The global COVID-19 pandemic has also worsened the situation of these people, whose procedures have been slowed down or stopped.
The entities that are part of the State Coordination of the Salesian Social Platforms have continued to work during the lockdown period to accompany the reception and integration processes of applicants for international protection.
The Salesian Social Platforms primarily accompany children, adolescents and young people, many of whom are unaccompanied. In fact, in 2019, of the 118,264 asylum applications submitted, 22,373 came from minors under 18, whose situation is especially vulnerable.
The Salesian Social Platforms have a program for the integral reception of young people between 18 and 26 years, applicants for international protection and refugees, funded by the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, by the European Social Fund and by the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund. Their refugee and youth status is believed to make them doubly vulnerable: they are alone, without a family support network and without the ability to access housing and work in decent conditions.
During 2019 and in this first part of 2020, 76 young people were assisted in their search for international protection. The Salesian Social Platforms highlight the efforts made by these young people since their first arrival at the reception center to learn or improve their knowledge of the language, to receive training and to be able to have a qualified job, thus fulfilling one of their dreams in the migratory process. "We are concerned that the personal, educational and work process of young people is not taken into account in the resolution of international protection," say the "Fundación Don Bosco."
In this context of pandemic, the Salesian Social Platforms deem it necessary to adopt urgent measures and in view of the International Refugee Day, next Saturday, June 20, they will relaunch the campaign: "Tu voz también es refugio" (Your voice is also a refuge). It is important to animate the whole society to take a step forward for these people, giving them a voice to fight false news and lies. "Together we can build a better society, in which the dignity of all people is recognized."
https://www.infoans.org/en/sections/news/item/10619-spain-salesian-social-platforms-focus-on-situation-of-refugees-in-context-of-social-deterioration#sigProIdb1cc88fc03
