Resettlement

START IV 

IOM Romania implemented three projects financed by AMIF, STARRT I, STARRT II and START III through which Syrian citizens were resettled from Turkey, in accordance with the national resettlement quota from 2015, 2016/2017 and .2019/2020 

START IV represents the continuation of these transfers, in accordance with Romania's committments.

The objectives for START IV are assuring the safe transfer of 200 Syrian refugees (from Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon), representing the resettlement quota for Romania for the current period. The transfer is designed to support the refugees until their final destination in Romania. 

The projects support Romania's participation in the efforts of the European Union Member States to implement sustainable solutions in response to the real international protection needs of displaced persons due to the conflict in Syria in countries in the immediate vicinity.

The projects are carried out by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the Mission in Romania, in partnership with the Schottener Social Services Foundation, at the initiative of the General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI) and funded by the European Union through the Asylum, Migration and Integration.

Why?

According to data released by Turkey's General Directorate for Migration Management (DGMM) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), at the end of 2018 there were over 3.5 million foreign citizens in Turkey in need of international protection. Of these, most are Syrian citizens, more than 2.8 million, who received a form of temporary protection from the Turkish government. This entitles them to legal residence in Turkey, as well as access to basic rights and services within certain limits.

368,227 refugees and asylum seekers of other nationalities registered by UNHCR as of 31 August. The majority are Afghans (46 per cent) and Iraqis (39 per cent), followed by Iranians (10.5 per cent), Somalis (1.5 per cent) and other nationalities (3 per cent).

Romania responds humanitarianly and jointly to the protection needs and the efforts of the European Union to manage migration flows by resettling on its territory a number of 100 Syrian refugees.

What is resettlement?

Resettlement is the procedure for the selection and transfer of refugees from a state where they have applied for protection in another state receiving them as refugees, with the possibility of permanent residence. Resettlement is a protection tool for refugees, along with integration and voluntary repatriation, and an expression of solidarity with those states that host most refugees globally. 

Who are the main actors involved and what responsibilities do they share?

UNHCR

• Identifies and presents to the General Inspectorate for Immigration (GII) cases of Syrian refugees from Turkey with kinship links in Romania for examination for resettlement. In turn, other organizations or individuals may refer to IGI analysis of Syrian refugee cases in Turkey.
• Supports refugees selected for resettlement in obtaining domestic and outward traffic permits from Turkey.

General Inspectorate for Immigration

• Analyzes cases and takes a decision to relocate under Government Decision 1596/2008 on resettlement of refugees.
• After relocation, offers reelected legal and physical protection, including access to civil, economic, social, and cultural rights similar to those enjoyed by Romanian citizens.

IOM and the Schottener Foundation provide the following types of assistance to selected people for resettlement:

• Medical evaluation before transfer to Romania, support for obtaining travel documents, transportation arrangements and travel preparation;
• Cultural orientation by providing relevant, accurate and current information about Romania;
• Transfer from Turkey to Romania, Bucharest and Brasov;
• Material / medical / psychological / legal basic assistance and accommodation for 45 days from their arrival in Romania;
• Leisure activities;