What type of support do refugees need?
Refugees who have come to Germany since 2013 generally have a high need for support services, especially when it comes to healthcare and language acquisition. This is shown by the analysis of data from the Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP).
However, whether or not such services are used does not depend solely on whether they exist. Rather, there are numerous obstacles: Many refugees lack information about the offers. In addition to language barriers, a lack of knowledge of social norms as well as discrimination and stigmatization can also stand in the way Additionally, the higher the level of education and the more work experience someone has already gained in their home country, the more likely they are to make use of the existing support services.
Support with finding work and education and with asylum issues in particular is often not taken up. In addition, many services are only available to refugees with “positive prospects of staying,” which is why tolerated persons and people in ongoing asylum proceedings rarely receive help. Study author Ellen Heidinger advises: “Language and culturally sensitive services must be expanded to ensure access for all groups of people.”
Further information
ZEIT Online: Integration: Asylbewerber und Flüchtlinge wollen mehr Hilfe