Author
Conditions in the open centres vary greatly from one centre to another. In general, the centres provide sleeping quarters either in the form of rooms housing between four (the centres for unaccompanied children) to 24 people (Initial Reception Centre), or mobile metal containers sleeping up to eight persons per container (Ħal-Far Hangar Open Centre [HOC], and Ħal Far Tent Village [HTV]). Small common cooking areas are provided in the family centre, the IRC and DIL. Otherwise, ready-made meals are provided three times a day to all residents and attempts are made to observe dietary requirements.
AWAS staff are currently working in several reception centres, which represents a significant increase compared to past years.[1]
According to the authorities, AWAS significantly increased its capacity by putting in place two coordinators in each centre, one being in charge of the welfare of residents. The Ministry further confirmed that the number of coordinators per centre varies according to the number of residents and vulnerable individuals. [2] In the first quarter of 2021, four Welfare officers were recruited to follow the health care of vulnerable clients in tandem with Social Workers. These Welfare Officers operate in Centre Hotspots. Medical Doctors contracted by AWAS, started operating in the 1st quarter of 2021 and provide their services in the IRC, and the main Open Centres. AWAS also established a Migrant Advice Unit in order to provide information to residents. EUAA indicated to be supporting this initiative by providing information material and interpreters.[3] AWAS indicated that there is now an info point available in each centre (with interpreters) for people to go either by appointment or drop-in. AWAS reported that a total of 2947 information sessions were delivered by Migrants Advice Unit in 2021. Actors in the field confirmed that each centre disposes of an information point, with a welfare officer and interpreters regularly present. Furthermore, NGOs also reported having regular discussions with the Units in order to share updates and referrals.
Despite this increased presence, most residents still report lack of sufficient information and access to services. They are accommodated in the centres after months spent in detention and are usually in need of assistance and specialised guidance.
AWAS reported having improved the conditions in AWAS centres throughout 2020,[4] by increasing its capacity and setting up a quality assurance department, introducing Internet access in all AWAS centres, and initiating two pilot community projects.[5] Furthermore, the Home Affairs Ministry also reported that AWAS has since then implemented several projects including measures to mitigate rats and cockroach infestation in every centre, including the refurbishment of an aviation hangar that is capable of holding 500 beds. The hangar has had new electricity installed with LED lighting, mobile charging stations and bathroom facilities. A fire detection and water sprinkler system are yet to be installed. The Ministry also stated that the agency was in the process of improving China House.[6]
According to NGOs regularly visiting the centres, the situation has not improved in recent years and the living conditions in the reception centres remained very difficult. Sanitary facilities are often run down and quickly become unsanitary due to the number of people. Cabins are very cold in winter and very hot in the summer. Residents are not allowed to have fridges in their cabin or cook their own food (except in HOC), which often leads to intense frustration. Food is provided daily, but residents often mention its poor quality and lack of variety.[7] In 2021, conditions improved slightly with the reintroduction of cooking facilities in HOC, and the opening of the classroom in the minors’ section of HTV. However, cabins remain poorly insulated and sanitary facilities have not increased. As already mentioned, severe over-crowding was no longer an issue in 2021. No major changes to this situation were seen in 2023, yet information provided by the Home Affairs Ministry indicates plans to improve living conditions throughout 2024, including: provision of adequate supply of drinking water, a new learning centre established by the NGO MOAS, and attempts to provide food that is culturally- and dietary-sensitive.[8]
The majority of centres offer limited options for activities for residents, and it is largely NGOs providing certain activities, such as free language classes in English or Maltese. AWAS indicated that the Agency offers social, psychosocial, and mental health support upon request. The Agency also indicated working with JobsPlus to offer basic English or Maltese courses in view of employment.
In January 2021, the CoE Commissioner for Human Rights published the report following her visit in October 2021. The report stated, when describing both the HTV and HOC, that “accommodation was provided in containers which appeared overcrowded and lacked air conditioning and heating. While the premises were clean, there was a lack of adequate hygiene conditions for residents, including as regards access to water and sanitation. Work was under way in the “Hangar”, however, to install additional showers and toilets. While playrooms had been set up for young children in the “Hangar” centre, the outside environment was stark, with no vegetation or furnishings in place for children’s open-air activities.”
The Commissioner added that in the Ħal Far Tent Village most of the unaccompanied minors she talked to stated that they were not attending school and were not involved in other meaningful activities. While the minors confirmed that they were being assisted by the social services, they had difficulties in understanding their situation at the time and their future prospects. Furthermore, contrary to the authorities’ obligations under Maltese legislation regarding protection of the rights of the child, no guardians had yet been appointed for these minors.[9] Throughout 2023, the latter situation regarding guardians saw dramatic improvement thanks to speedier judicial and administrative procedures.
Despite a series of measures in place, such as vulnerability head-counts, regular check-ins and accommodating vulnerable persons close to AWAS offices in the centres, physical security is a challenge. LGBTIQ+ applicants and persons presenting other vulnerabilities faced challenges in securing safe and specialised accommodation. NGOs report that, despite AWAS’ interventions, structural limitations led to vulnerable persons being exposed to situations of violence, harassment and lack of targeted attention. This is exacerbated by the fact that most specialised shelters would either not have sufficient space or would rely on AWAS being the mainstream service-provider for anyone in the asylum system. The Home Affairs Ministry reported that, at the end of 2023, a Vulnerability Area was set up in HTV, regularly monitored by a nurse when necessary.[10]
[1] Information provided by AWAS, January 2021.
[2] Information provided by Home Affairs Ministry in January 2024.
[3] Information provided by EUAA, September 2021.
[4] FRA, Migration: key fundamental rights concerns, Quarterly bulletin, 2020, available at: https://bit.ly/3tIH6jt.
[5] Ibid.
[6] Information provided by Home Affairs Ministry in January 2024.
[7] Information provided by JRS Malta 2021.
[8] Information provided by Home Affairs Ministry in January 2024.
[9] Commissioner’s report following her visit to Malta from 11 to 16 October 2021, available at: https://bit.ly/3InhWhS.
[10] Information provided by Home Affairs Ministry in January 2024.