On February 18th, more than 160,000 people marched through the centre of Barcelona, calling for Spain to open its doors to more refugees. Under the umbrella slogan 'Volem Acollir' ('We want to receive'), protestors, including the city’s mayor, Ada Colau, expressed their frustration at the central government for its slow response to the crisis and for not meeting its quota of refugees. The march was the largest demonstration in Europe in favour of accepting refugees and attracted media attention across the continent.
The European migrant crisis began in 2015, when millions of migrants and refugees crossed the borders into Europe. Fleeing from war-torn homelands such as Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq, many sought safe passage across the Mediterranean in the hope of reaching European shores. The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) estimates that more than one million migrants arrived in Europe by sea in 2015. Many lost their lives on the journey and images of bodies found washed ashore, such as that of Syrian toddler Alan Kurdi, prompted calls for an immediate response to the situation.
Europe has struggled to find the best way to manage the growing influx of asylum seekers. Through a quota system, many of its nations pledged to receive between 15,000 and 19,000 refugees to relieve countries such as Greece, Italy and Hungary, which saw the majority of migrant arrivals. Under this system Spain committed to receiving around 16,000 asylum seekers, yet, according to a report by CEAR (Comisión Española de Ayuda al Refugiado), by the end of 2015, Spain had accepted just one percent of its quota. The country has now taken in 887 people, far lower than the EU average, further provoking concerns over whether it will fulfil its quota before the end of the year.
The reaction from Catalunya was arguably faster. In September 2015, Colau launched a municipal plan to facilitate the arrival of refugees to the region. The ‘Barcelona, Refuge City’ plan integrated international development, training programmes and NGOs to ensure the city was equipped with the necessary services. Despite promising efforts, the plan didn't go as hoped. A year after its inception, fewer than half of the allocated accommodation vacancies for refugees were occupied, according to the Generalitat de Catalunya.
“The plan is perfect,” claimed Sofia Duffo, communications coordinator of Refugees Aid Barcelona. “We have everything in place here and are ready to accept more, but we are still waiting for them to come. We can prepare our city as much as possible, but at the end of the day, the final decisions and actions are with the Spanish government and the European Union.” Duffo was among the protestors at the Volem Acollir march. She believes that the strong reaction from Barcelona stems from the region’s suffering during the Franco era. “The people of Catalunya have clearly shown their support for welcoming refugees in Spain,” she said. “We are not afraid of increasing multiculturalism in our city or of having more refugees.”
Pascale Coissard of CCAR (Comissió Catalana d’Ajuda al Refugiat) also believes people in the region are more aware than in other places across Europe. “The people of Catalunya were essentially refugees during the Spanish Civil War, and I think that has enabled the region to be more sensitive to the crisis.” She also draws on Barcelona as a hub for social movements, where there is a strong network of NGOs. “I think Barcelona has a culture of volunteering and the Catalan civil society is strong.” Organisers of the march, Casa Nostra, Casa Vostra (Our house is your house) were also pleased with the mass response of the city. “So many people went out in the streets to join us,” said campaign director Ruben Wabensberg. “It clearly shows how a lot of people in Barcelona want to get involved when given an opportunity.”
Wabensberg praises the commitment of local people, believing it is key to the success of his organisation. Casa Nostra, Casa Vostra began with just two people who were working in the refugee camps located between Greece and Macedonia. They realised that people in their hometowns didn’t know much about the crisis, and sought to raise awareness about what was happening at the camps. In a short space of time, the organisation grew to 80 people, with more than 1,000 volunteers. “The number of volunteers in just a few months says it all,” claimed Wabensberg. “The government won’t do anything unless we mobilise, and when you create opportunities for action, people respond.”
It’s even more frustrating for the refugees who are still in the camps. Some have been there for a long time now.” Pascale Coissard, from CCAR
Refugees Aid Barcelona was also born from the need to provide people in the city with a platform to take action. It was launched in September 2015 using social media, and attracted more than 1,000 followers in just two weeks. Within a few months of being active, the organisation already had 15 clothing collection points across the city for sorting donations. “One individual independently collected more than 10,000 winter items filling 280 boxes, but wasn’t sure how to get them to the refugee camps,” described Duffo. “He then contacted us and we organised for them to be stored and sent.” Though she believes that the pleas of Barcelona residents will lead to more migrant arrivals, she worries the current response is too slow. “Though there were a lot of people on the streets at Casa Nostra, Casa Vostra’s march, the government still hasn’t responded.” She urges people to continue pressuring the government. “The march was successful and it was good to see so many people, but I want to see everyone. We need to keep pressing and make it clear we are not afraid to have more refugees right now.”
It remains unclear as to why Spain is struggling to receive more refugees. Director of Fundació Bayt al-Thaqafa, Daniel Ibarz Pérez, believes that economically, Spain is capable of receiving more. “The Spanish government is actually increasing the allocated budget for taking in more refugees, but this alone is not the solution. The reception strategy needs to be amended to provide a quicker response, with a stronger focus on short-term plans.” He draws on the approach of Germany as a model. The country granted refugee status to more than 250,000 people in 2016, according to Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge (the federal office for migration and refugees).
Pérez also believes there is a need for more integration between national and regional policies in Spain. The state programme provides financial aid and accommodation to people applying for asylum in the country. After six months of enrolment, individuals are expected to find their own accommodation, and then employment after a further six months. The Catalan Refugee Programme (CRP) is aimed at providing assistance to those who are not financially independent upon completion of the state programme. Pérez’s organisation works alongside newly-arrived immigrants and understands the difficulties they encounter when trying to find a job or rent a flat. He stresses that many people have fled devastating circumstances and suffer from psychological trauma, making the process of personal independence even more challenging. “Practically, the CRP would be more beneficial if implemented before an individual has completed the state programme, providing more assistance at an earlier stage,” he said. “We need to see increased decentralisation and allow regional programmes to be implemented as necessary.”
Coissard also discusses the challenges asylum seekers face in attaining autonomy, and names housing as the biggest issue. “Barcelona is expensive generally, but asylum seekers have additional difficulties.” She draws on the fact that people are less willing to rent to ‘foreigners’. Pérez, on the other hand, has observed differing perceptions of immigrants depending on their nationality, where there is evidently more sympathy towards the Syrian community than some others. Both CCAR and Fundació Bayt al-Thaqafa aim to promote cultural integration and awareness in the hope of addressing the increase in racist behaviour in Spain. “I hope if more refugees come, there won’t be a backlash,” Coissard said. “It can sometimes be the case that asylum seekers become the scapegoat for anything that happens.” She regards the Volem Acollir march as powerful, as it drew attention to several ongoing conflicts and the need to open all borders, particularly the southern Spanish border facing Morocco.
Despite calling the march an “incredible achievement”, Pérez highlights the fact that there are still only 553 refugees (as of March 23, 2017) enrolled on the state programme in Catalunya. Spain has received only six percent of its quota, which it was due to fulfil in September 2017, and continues to frustrate those people working to assist the reception of refugees. “In 2015, a lot of people reacted to the crisis and wanted us to develop plans and organise our cities to receive refugees. So we did and everyone expected them to arrive. When they didn’t, there was certainly a lot of disappointment,” Coissard said. “It’s even more frustrating for the refugees who are still in the camps. Some have been there for a long time now and have even had children, expecting a change and waiting for something to happen—but nothing does.”
Reflecting upon the reception of refugees across Europe, Coissard believes Spain’s slow reaction is due to “a lack of political willingness”. She further points out that the European Union only expects to meet 25 percent of the quota agreement. “The EU is lacking strength and needs to act more towards defending the right of asylum. Some people are even returning to their home countries such as Afghanistan or Iraq out of desperation.” The CEAS (Common European Asylum System) is preparing a new set of directives in the hope of achieving a more effective and coherent asylum system in Europe. Coissard hopes that with more action and increased awareness things will change. “I hope the people will continue to pressure the government, and that we will see more refugees in our city, country and across Europe.”
HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED
Volunteer
Many of the non-profit organisations designed to help refugees rely on the help of volunteers. Refugees Aid Barcelona receives many donations from people in the city, which then require sorting and packaging to send abroad. It holds events, such as its ‘Shake the Borders’ dance performance, which you can get involved in as well. Fundació Bayt al-Thaqafa has various roles for volunteers, such as tour guides and language teachers. The Federació Catalana de Voluntariat Social (Catalan Federation of Social Volunteers) has a volunteer training programme and offers a number of recognised courses linked to volunteering. CCAR also invites volunteers to get involved, allowing you to select the services/programmes you would like to collaborate on, including first reception services, social programmes, employment and training, and interpreting.
Solidarity initiatives
CEAR advocates using events, such as birthdays, weddings or parties to raise money to help refugees in Spain. CEAR can assist and advise you in organising the event. Follow Casa Nostra, Casa Vostra through its website and social medial channels, and join its next protest or campaign. Businesses can also collaborate with CCAR by sponsoring projects and programmes.
Donate money or goods
Refugees Aid Barcelona asks for financial contributions towards transporting goods to refugee camps, as each truck costs approximately €3,600. It also contacts refugee camps directly to source the most needed products. For example, its campaign #OperacionAceite delivers olive oil to camps. Casa Nostra, Casa Vostra also sells products such as T-shirts, bags and banners, with profits funding their campaigns and activities.
Dissemination
There is no better way to spread information quickly than through online channels. Following organisations on social media and sharing their posts can help them grow and make their projects more successful.