Health aspects of reception of refugees in region of origin

Componente de salud en la recepción de refugiados en las regiones de origen

In the discussions within the EU, politicians are stressing the preferable option of reception of refugees in their own region. This is not only because of the increasing number of refugees seeking asylum in Europee, but also because the health problems of refugees. Reception in the region is not only in the interest of Europe, but also in the interest (health, well-being) of the refugees themselves. Ngo's in the EU will have to prepare themselves for this debate, which will be part of a growing common policy of the EU regarding refugees and asylum seekers.

From an enquiry amongst Afghanian men in a Dutch province it appeared that 60% of them were suffering from depression that should need, according to mental health standards, treatment by a mental health specialist. Looking at the group of Vietnamese boat-refugees, who came to the Netherlands between 1975 and 1985, you can see that the first generation still faces a lot of social and mental health problems. Social workers and counselors of young unaccompanied minor refugees in the Netherlands are very worried about their future and successful integration into the Dutch society.

The question is whether the western health system is capable of taking sufficient care of the mental health problems of refugees. On the one hand, healthcare professionals doubt whether the existing healthcare system is capable of solving the problems of refugees, even if the healthcare system is able to change and improve itself in the future. Even if there is good will among psychiatrists, psychotherapists and other health professionals, the lack of social and cultural environment makes the different types of therapy insufficient. It's impossible to cure the traumatic experiences, the loss of social structure, the uprooting of refugees, in the context of the western society. Reception in their own region is a preferable alternative. Language and culture create an environment of recognition, therefore, culture-specific treatment and specific rituals are more effective in solving the mental health problems of refugees. On the other hand, supporting the idea that reception in their region is a better solution is mainly helping in fortifying "the fortress Europe". Although it is true that solving the problems of trauma, deprivation of social structure and culture will most of the time be a partial solution, it is necessary to improve our methods of therapy and to "multiculturalize" our healthcare system. Additionally, even if we do invest in better reception in the region, asylum seekers will come to Europe with their mental-health problems. Furthermore, is it in favor of ngo's, in regions of war and violations of human rights, if ngo's in the EU endorse that the EU increase their efforts to enlarge and improve facilities for reception in the region?

There should be an initiative for comparative studies on the subject of mental health problems of refugees seeking shelter in their own region and those who are fleeing to western countries and also on the effectiveness of mental health services responding to these problems. The Balkan-region is perhaps a region where - with support of different ngo's - we can make such an investigation.

It is important to get two ngo's involved, from regions affected by war and refugees, in this workshop, presenting their experiences in order to exchange and start building a position together on this topic.