Agreement signed on services for asylum seekers
The City of Hafnarfjörður and the Immigration Authority have signed agreements on services and accommodation for three families of asylum seekers while their cases are being processed by the Icelandic authorities.
The City of Hafnarfjörður and the Immigration Authority have signed agreements on services and accommodation for three families of asylum seekers while their cases are being processed by the Icelandic authorities. Haraldur L. Haraldsson, the Mayor, and Kristín Völundardóttir, Director of the Immigration Authority, signed the agreement along with Ragnhildur Hjaltadóttir, Director of the Ministry of the Interior, who ratified the agreement on behalf of the Minister. The agreement is valid until 1 March 2016.
„This is a major milestone which is very important, even though it's not a large number of families,“ said Kristín Völundardóttir. „We are now on the verge of getting a handle on the service we provide today.“ „We are going to do this properly and the City of Hafnarfjörður will tackle this project with ambition,“ said Haraldur L. Haraldsson. „This is a new project we are undertaking and we look forward to further cooperation with the Immigration Authority.“
Under the agreements, the City of Hafnarfjörður commits to providing services to up to fifteen people while they await the outcome of their cases in the country. The Family Service provides the service, which includes ensuring asylum seekers receive food and accommodation, social services and healthcare, with special attention given to services for children. The City of Hafnarfjörður also ensures that asylum seekers have access to an interpreter where appropriate and offers Icelandic language classes.
The City of Hafnarfjörður shall ensure that asylum seekers are given the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the residents and local conditions in Hafnarfjörður, and with the services and leisure activities available in the local community, such as the library and swimming pools.
The Family Service is recruiting a Project Manager to oversee services for asylum seekers and refugees, and to coordinate and organise the service in collaboration with service providers. The deadline for applications is 4 November.