Caritas Belgium
1. General activities of the organization:
Caritas International is one of the largest NGO in Belgium and was founded 75 years ago. Caritas Belgium works actively in the field of assistance to migrants in Belgium, and Emergency relief and Development in Asia and Africa. Caritas helps the victims of wars, natural catastrophes and poverty. This assistance is provided without consideration of religious or philosophical convictions or political belonging.
Internationally:
- Emergency relief
- Development.
In Belgium:
- Social help for migrants and asylum seekers (Non UE)
- Small housing projects for asylum seekers during the procedure.
- Tutorship for Unaccompanied foreign minors
- Return and sustainable reintegration in countries of origin.
2. ERSO member is funded by:
The return Cell is funded by FEDASIL (Ministry of integration and social affairs) and by Caritas.
3. Target group of the ERSO member (in the context of return and reintegration):
The target group of the return cell is asylum seekers and undocumented migrants who return voluntarily to their country of origin and who are in need of assistance.
4. Does the ERSO member offer pre-departure counseling?
Caritas International Belgium offers pre-departure counseling and cooperates with other “REAB Partners” NGO’s and governmental agencies who counsel migrants, such as FEDASIL, Red Cross, Social Centers in the dutch and French speaking parts of the countries and in Brussels.
5. What kind of reintegration assistance does the ERSO member offer to returnees?
Our assistance is individualized and adapted to personal cases. We can offer the following reintegration assistance:
Pre-departure: specific information regarding the country of origin (e.g. housing, education, employment, health care etc.) or practical assistance through our partner organizations, such as finding housing etc.;
After return: practical assistance through our partner organization in the country of origin. This can include: assistance in finding housing, registration (e.g. employment, medical care, old age pensions, unemployment benefits, education for children etc). Advice and support in finding employment;
Assistance in setting up a small-scale business: (after return) e.g. finding micro credit or help in registration etc.;
Referral to other organizations: e.g. for psycho-social assistance or health care;
All other relevant questions or needs.
The budget is based on FEDASIL fund: individual budgets are approved by the return agency within FEDASIL, and Caritas Belgium is accountable for the way the individual reintegration project is implemented.
6. Partners in the context of voluntary return and reintegration:
National level: IOM, CIRE, Vlucthelingenwerk Vlaanderen, FEDASIL, diverse social services in Belgium.
EU level: The Cordaid-Mediation Agency for Return and other ERSO members.
Countries of origin: Countries of origin: Caritas Serbia, Georgia, Armenia, Bulgaria and Ukraine. Use of Caritas and Maatwerk Network in the entire world. We pay most of the organizations that assist us a fee per case.
7. Top 5 of returnees by country of origin assisted by the ERSO member in 2008:
Top 5 counselling contacts by country of origin
- Ukraine
- Mongolia
- Brazil
- Armenia
- Nepal
Top 5 actual returns by country of origin
- Ukraine 58
- Mongolia 44
- Brazil 34
- Armenia 34
- Nepal 24
Total number of returnees 2008
351
