Reporting by Yusra Ahmed
(Eqtsad)- When refugees arrive to Europe, they are treated according to refugee convention, they get protection and receive support, which slightly differs from country to another.
In regard to Syrian refugees in Europe, Eqtsad tried to have an idea about the financial support they receive and their economical status.
To begin with Germany that received the highest number of Syrians in Europe after the war in Syria. Number of registered refugees in Germany reached to 600 thousand by the end of April 2016.
In Germany, getting residency either for a year or 3 years is considered quicker than other countries, besides higher possibility of reuniting other members of families, which made this country a first choice for Syrians.
to have an idea about the cost of living and support refugees receive in Germany, Eqtsad talked to Rana, a Syrian teacher came to the country with her husband an 4 children.
The Syrian teacher who lives in a city northern of Germany explained that when refugees attend Germany, they are first put in camps, and receive food and provided accommodations, although they are not perfect, but at least have the essential requirements. They might be moved from camp to another till they find a house to rent, in this time they receive €120.
After leaving the camp, each married person with children is given €330 ($370) monthly, if he has not the residency yet, but after the getting the residency, the amount raised to €350. Moreover, children are given €250 ($280) each. In regard to single people, they are given €350 ($392) before granting residency, and €400 ($448) once they have it.
In regard to renting a house, Rana explained that the government pays rent to houses’ owners and gives €400 ($440) for each member on the family to furnish the house. For example, Rana’s family consist of 6 members, they received €2400 ($2960).
The Syrian lady explained that food is not that expensive as a her family of 6, do not need more than €600 a month for food. But clothes and shoes cost a lot, for example the price of an ordinary trainer ranges between €40 and €50, while brand trainers’ price might reach to €120.
In regard to transportation, it is expensive, according to Rana, but refugees receive reduction cards, by which they can buy a transportation ticket for €35, while its real price is €90.
The reduction card can be used in cinema, theatre, parks and swimming pools.
From her experience, Rana detailed that if Syrian families abide by essential needs and expenses, they can save at least €200-€300, and they can help their families in Syria as well.
Sweden is the second preferred European country for refugees, because of short time to get a residency and nationality. Number of registered asylum seekers reached to 110333 in the end of December 2015.
In order to explore the economical status an support for refugees in Sweden, Eqtsad talked to Hala, 42, single mother from Syria lives with her only daughter besides her extended family who all sought asylum during the 5 years of Syrian war.
She explained that when refugees first arrive to Sweden, they are sent to camps, at that time, a single person is given 71 Sweden Krona (SEK) equal to ($8.5) daily if he did not receive food from the camp, and SEK24 ($2.8) if he relies on camp for food.
Married people are given SEK19 ($2.3) daily for people inside camp and eat inside.
When refugees leave the camp, before obtaining the residency, government gives each adult SEK61 daily and SEK37 ($4.5) for children. Refugees are responsible for their food from that money.
After the residency, according to Hala, the file is transferred to work office where the refugee signs a 2-year-contract in which refugees are required to do 40 hours work weekly like language learning and activities, and they are given SEK308 ($37) in working days only, while holidays and weekends are not included.
after that, Hala kept explaining that refugee can rent a house in his own name and pay SEK2000 ($240) monthly, and the state pay the rest, provided the rent does not exceed SEK5700 monthly ($685). Moreover, refugee can apply for a loan with low interest to furnish the house, where the head of the family is entitled for SEK15 thousand ($1800), and the rest of members for SEK5000. the loan needs to be paid off within two years, all the interest would be doubled.
Hala continued explaining:”at the end of two years and learning language, if the refugee was not able to find a job, is moved to another plan called “support activity” for a year, in which the refugee receives SEK177 ($21) and does many activities and workshops determined by the government. At the end f it, if the refugee still without a job, his file is transferred to social services where he receives an income of SEK3600 ($432) monthly, and the social services pays all bills and the house rent and medical care, but he cannot own a car or leave the city.
In regard to medical care, the Syrian single mother detailed that medical care is free for residents and all children under 18 and under the care of social services, while non-residents have to pay SEK50 for any medical visit.
Hala commented that life in Sweden is comfortable especially financially and implementing law and justice, even they can enjoy some fun, but the alienation feeling and cold weather and missing the eastern social life, ruined their happiness.
England is one of the good destination refugees seek, but it is considered hard to reach and process of residency and nationality sometimes take long time to granted. Application for asylum reach to 9467 at the end of July 2016.
Eqtsad talked to Siham, who went to England with her husband and 2-year-old daughter. She explained: “ When we first sought asylum, we first received £111 ($145) per week for the three of us, almost £39 each. Accommodation is provided and the Medical care is totally free for all asylum seekers.
Siham continued that when they were granted asylum, our allowance increased to £114 per week each based based on approval), added to child benefit of £20 a week, and £60 from tax credit.
In regard to accommodation according to Siham, there are 2 options; either waiting to get a council house as finding a house would be the responsibility of the council besides utility bills of electricity, water and gas, however that process can take ages. the other option is renting a house and requesting paying the rent back, the allowance for that option vary according to the borough and the city council.
Medication and dental care are free for children, while dentistry for adult costs £18 per visit, while medicine $8 per one a visit.
In general, it seems that life of refugees is acceptable and comfortable in Europe, especially countries act according to refugees convention. However, language barriers and social differences increase their feeling of alienation, which slightly started to vanish with the high number of Syrians in most of European countries.
(Eqtsad)- When refugees arrive to Europe, they are treated according to refugee convention, they get protection and receive support, which slightly differs from country to another.
In regard to Syrian refugees in Europe, Eqtsad tried to have an idea about the financial support they receive and their economical status.
To begin with Germany that received the highest number of Syrians in Europe after the war in Syria. Number of registered refugees in Germany reached to 600 thousand by the end of April 2016.
In Germany, getting residency either for a year or 3 years is considered quicker than other countries, besides higher possibility of reuniting other members of families, which made this country a first choice for Syrians.
to have an idea about the cost of living and support refugees receive in Germany, Eqtsad talked to Rana, a Syrian teacher came to the country with her husband an 4 children.
The Syrian teacher who lives in a city northern of Germany explained that when refugees attend Germany, they are first put in camps, and receive food and provided accommodations, although they are not perfect, but at least have the essential requirements. They might be moved from camp to another till they find a house to rent, in this time they receive €120.
After leaving the camp, each married person with children is given €330 ($370) monthly, if he has not the residency yet, but after the getting the residency, the amount raised to €350. Moreover, children are given €250 ($280) each. In regard to single people, they are given €350 ($392) before granting residency, and €400 ($448) once they have it.
In regard to renting a house, Rana explained that the government pays rent to houses’ owners and gives €400 ($440) for each member on the family to furnish the house. For example, Rana’s family consist of 6 members, they received €2400 ($2960).
The Syrian lady explained that food is not that expensive as a her family of 6, do not need more than €600 a month for food. But clothes and shoes cost a lot, for example the price of an ordinary trainer ranges between €40 and €50, while brand trainers’ price might reach to €120.
In regard to transportation, it is expensive, according to Rana, but refugees receive reduction cards, by which they can buy a transportation ticket for €35, while its real price is €90.
The reduction card can be used in cinema, theatre, parks and swimming pools.
From her experience, Rana detailed that if Syrian families abide by essential needs and expenses, they can save at least €200-€300, and they can help their families in Syria as well.
Sweden is the second preferred European country for refugees, because of short time to get a residency and nationality. Number of registered asylum seekers reached to 110333 in the end of December 2015.
In order to explore the economical status an support for refugees in Sweden, Eqtsad talked to Hala, 42, single mother from Syria lives with her only daughter besides her extended family who all sought asylum during the 5 years of Syrian war.
She explained that when refugees first arrive to Sweden, they are sent to camps, at that time, a single person is given 71 Sweden Krona (SEK) equal to ($8.5) daily if he did not receive food from the camp, and SEK24 ($2.8) if he relies on camp for food.
Married people are given SEK19 ($2.3) daily for people inside camp and eat inside.
When refugees leave the camp, before obtaining the residency, government gives each adult SEK61 daily and SEK37 ($4.5) for children. Refugees are responsible for their food from that money.
After the residency, according to Hala, the file is transferred to work office where the refugee signs a 2-year-contract in which refugees are required to do 40 hours work weekly like language learning and activities, and they are given SEK308 ($37) in working days only, while holidays and weekends are not included.
after that, Hala kept explaining that refugee can rent a house in his own name and pay SEK2000 ($240) monthly, and the state pay the rest, provided the rent does not exceed SEK5700 monthly ($685). Moreover, refugee can apply for a loan with low interest to furnish the house, where the head of the family is entitled for SEK15 thousand ($1800), and the rest of members for SEK5000. the loan needs to be paid off within two years, all the interest would be doubled.
Hala continued explaining:”at the end of two years and learning language, if the refugee was not able to find a job, is moved to another plan called “support activity” for a year, in which the refugee receives SEK177 ($21) and does many activities and workshops determined by the government. At the end f it, if the refugee still without a job, his file is transferred to social services where he receives an income of SEK3600 ($432) monthly, and the social services pays all bills and the house rent and medical care, but he cannot own a car or leave the city.
In regard to medical care, the Syrian single mother detailed that medical care is free for residents and all children under 18 and under the care of social services, while non-residents have to pay SEK50 for any medical visit.
Hala commented that life in Sweden is comfortable especially financially and implementing law and justice, even they can enjoy some fun, but the alienation feeling and cold weather and missing the eastern social life, ruined their happiness.
England is one of the good destination refugees seek, but it is considered hard to reach and process of residency and nationality sometimes take long time to granted. Application for asylum reach to 9467 at the end of July 2016.
Eqtsad talked to Siham, who went to England with her husband and 2-year-old daughter. She explained: “ When we first sought asylum, we first received £111 ($145) per week for the three of us, almost £39 each. Accommodation is provided and the Medical care is totally free for all asylum seekers.
Siham continued that when they were granted asylum, our allowance increased to £114 per week each based based on approval), added to child benefit of £20 a week, and £60 from tax credit.
In regard to accommodation according to Siham, there are 2 options; either waiting to get a council house as finding a house would be the responsibility of the council besides utility bills of electricity, water and gas, however that process can take ages. the other option is renting a house and requesting paying the rent back, the allowance for that option vary according to the borough and the city council.
Medication and dental care are free for children, while dentistry for adult costs £18 per visit, while medicine $8 per one a visit.
In general, it seems that life of refugees is acceptable and comfortable in Europe, especially countries act according to refugees convention. However, language barriers and social differences increase their feeling of alienation, which slightly started to vanish with the high number of Syrians in most of European countries.
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