Author
An applicant with special reception needs is a vulnerable person according to Article 5^1 of the Asylum Act, who needs special guarantees to enjoy their rights and fulfil their obligations under the law.[1] Article 5^1(2) lists the following categories of vulnerable persons: minors, unaccompanied minors, disabled people, elderly people, pregnant women, single parents with minor children, victims of human trafficking, persons suffering from serious illnesses, people with mental disorders and persons who have been subjected to torture, rape or other serious forms of psychological, physical or sexual violence, or persons in other special circumstances.
The law does not prescribe actual mechanisms or methods for the identification of vulnerable persons. The Asylum law only states that specialised personnel of IGI-DAI cooperate with UNHCR and relevant NGOs to identify asylum seekers who may fall within in the category of vulnerable persons referred for the identification of vulnerable cases, IGI has a SOP applied by all reception centres and staff interacting with asylum seekers from the moment of their arrival and during the whole asylum procedure. In order to assess the vulnerability of asylum seekers, specialists within IGI-DAI, where appropriate together with experts from other institutions and authorities competent in the field, to make an assessment of the special needs of foreigners. Depending on the specific need of each asylum seeker identified as vulnerable person, IGI-DAI notifies and cooperates with authorities and specialised agencies in order to provide necessary assistance. IGI-DAI may collaborate with NGOs to assist asylum seekers identified as vulnerable.[2]
Psychosocial specialists of the ICAR Foundation who carry out activities in the Regional Centres first seek to identify asylum seekers, especially those belonging to vulnerable groups (families in difficulty, elderly people, people with chronic illness, unaccompanied children, victims of physical and mental violence) and their needs. Subsequent tests are conducted to assess the general health status of newly arrived asylum seekers, while general practitioners provide weekly medical consultations (see Health Care).[3]
According to the Asylum Act, asylum seekers with special needs have the right to benefit from adapted accommodation and assistance conditions in the Regional Centres.[4] During a visit in the regional centre of Timișoara in 2021, the Ombudsman noticed that an asylum seeker who had walking difficulties due to an accident, struggled to use the toilet and recommended that the management build a toilet for persons with special needs.[5] IGI-DAI stated that all regional centres are ramps for persons with disabilities.[6]
The house rules of the Regional Centres stipulate that, in order to deal with situations of sexual or gender-based violence, the Director of the Centre shall:[7]
- Inform the persons accommodated in the centre about sexual or gender-based violence and the consequences of such acts;
- In case of such situations occurring during the period of accommodation in the centre, notify the competent public authorities and institutions and, depending on the seriousness of the deed, gradually apply one of the sanctions provided in Article 47 ROI (see Reduction or Withdrawal of Reception Conditions);
- Cooperate with national and international NGOs, as well as with public authorities and institutions competent in this field to assist victims while they are accommodated in the Regional Centre.
To the best of the knowledge of the expert, there were no available reports in 2023 or 2024 of cases of sexual or gender-based violence in the reception centres. IGI-DAI states that that if such cases would exist, the centre would immediately notify the police and the competent judicial authorities to investigate.[8]
In 2024, IGI-DAI stated that the Regional Centres managed by IGI have spaces suitable for accommodating vulnerable persons.
In 2024 according to CNRR, each applicant’s file, contains an observation sheet documenting key personal details—such as age, gender, family status (e.g., single parenthood, risk of gender-based violence, old age), pregnancy, health conditions, disabilities, substance use, or past experiences of torture or trafficking. Emotional or behavioural concerns like agitation or frequent crying are also recorded. This information is gathered throughout the asylum process: at application, during accommodation, the preliminary questionnaire, interview, or court proceedings. Medical staff at each centre conduct regular check-ups for individuals identified as having special needs to ensure their health and well-being are properly managed [9]
Reception of unaccompanied children
Unaccompanied children below the age of 16
Unaccompanied children below the age of 16 are accommodated in a centre managed by DGASPC or an authorised private body.[10] If they have relatives residing in a Regional Centre, DGASPC decides where they will be accommodated, taking into consideration their best interests. In case of unaccompanied children who have siblings under or above the age of 16, when taking a decision regarding their accommodation, IGI-DAI shall consult their legal representative, observe the principle of family unity and take into account the age and maturity of the older sibling.[11]The opinion of the unaccompanied child regarding the place where they will be accommodated is considered and given due importance, taking into account their age and degree of maturity.[12]
As regards the conditions in DGASPC facilities, Save the Children stated that the facilities are decent but there are no interpreters; thus, interaction with these children is limited until they learn Romanian. In most cases the staff is not trained to work with foreign children, the services provided are not adapted to their needs.
IGI-DAI mentioned that in 2024, unaccompanied minors were generally accommodated in centres managed by the General Directorate for Social Assistance and Child Protection. IGI-DAI mentioned that, when accommodated in the Regional Centres managed by IGI, the accommodation of unaccompanied minors is arranged by gender, in rooms separate from adults. As of 31 December 2024, two unaccompanied minors were accommodated in the Regional Centres managed by IGI. [13]
In 2024, Child Protection Bucharest (DGASMB) stated that there were no reception centres, accommodation places, or unaccompanied minors housed in reception centres at the end of the year.[14]
Additionally, they reported four specialized reception centres in Bucharest:[15]
- For victims of domestic violence (2 centres):
- Emergency Reception Centre for Victims of Severe Domestic Violence “Theodor Pallady”
- Emergency Reception Centre for Female Victims of Domestic Violence
- For homeless adults (2 centres) in Bucharest:
- Integrated Social Services Complex for Adults – St. Ioan
- Filaret Community Assistance Centre.
Unaccompanied children aged 16 or more
Unaccompanied children, who have reached the age of 16 and do not have the necessary material resources to ensure their subsistence, are accommodated in the Regional Centres. IGI-DAI[16] states that unaccompanied minors can be accommodated in separated rooms in the centres and that the principle of the best interest of the child is taken into account.
In 2021, IGI-DAI reported a total number of 2,630 of unaccompanied children accommodated in the regional centres.[17] In 2022, the number of unaccompanied minors decreased significantly to 386 and at the end of the year 26 unaccompanied minors were accommodated in the regional centres.[18] In 2024, IGI-DAI mentioned that unaccompanied minors over the age of 16 were allowed to remain in the Regional Centres managed by IGI. At the national level, IGI administers six reception centres.[19]
Children may remain in the reception centre if they are accompanied by an adult or if they are unaccompanied and over the age of 16. In cases where unaccompanied children are under the age of 16, the Child Protection Authority is promptly contacted. However, the duration of their stay is typically short, either due to family reunification processes or, in some cases, irregular onward movement, after which the children may no longer be traceable.[20]
Reception of families
Efforts are made to ensure that nuclear families can stay together during the asylum procedure. Families are accommodated in separate rooms. In 2023, according with IGI-DAI, families are accommodated separately in all centres.[21]
Beyond the Regional Centres managed by IGI-DAI, AIDRom used to run two Accommodation Centres: one Accommodation Centre in Timișoara, which has operated without interruption since August 2012 with a capacity of 15 places; and one Accommodation Centre in Bucharest, which has operated since 2015 with 18 places.
These centres accommodate vulnerable persons, especially single parents with children (mothers with children). The AIDRom centres are located within these cities, funded partially by AMIF and partially by external donors. Asylum seekers housed in these centres have access to social assistance, cultural activities and cultural orientation.
In 2024, Save the Children focuses on supporting children with families, unaccompanied minors, and single women present in the Timisoara reception centre. Typically, families with children do not remain in the reception centre for long periods of time. AIDRom provides social assistance, including services such as family reunification and the distribution of school supplies, also extending their support to beneficiaries of international protection.[22]
In 2024, according to CNRR from the practice encountered, the most common are verbal and written explanations and warnings regarding internal regulation. In the Regional Centers, information sessions are organized for those accommodated, sessions attended not only by integration officers and NGO representatives but also by medical assistants, officers and contract employees from the Logistics department, PCA officers, the psychologist, EUAA interpreters, in which topics such as: hygiene and sanitary rules, financial aid received from the GII, room re-compartmentation, etc. are addressed.[23]
[1] Article 2(1)(b^2) Asylum Act.
[2] Article 5(1)-(4) Asylum Decree.
[3] AIDRom, Adapted and accessible health services for asylum seekers in Romania, available here.
[4] Article 17(1)(l) Asylum Act.
[5] Ombudsman, Report, 2021, p.7, available in Romanian here.
[6] Information provided by IGI-DAI, 18 January 2024.
[7] Article 60 ROI.
[8] Information provided by IGI-DAI, 18 January 2024.
[9] Information provided by CNRR in February 2025.
[10] Article 58(3) Asylum Decree, in conjunction with Article 78(1) Child Protection Act.
[11] Article 58(3^1) Asylum Decree.
[12] ibid. Article 58(4).
[13] Information provided by IGI-DAI, 23 January 2025.
[14] Information provided by DGASMB, 17 January 2025 available here.
[15] ibid.
[16] Information provided by IGI-DAI, 18 January 2024.
[17] Information provided by IGI-DAI, 10 March 2022.
[18] ibid. 22 February 2023.
[19] ibid., 23 January 2025.
[20] Information provided by IGI during ECRE fact-finding visit at the Timisoara Reception Centre, 20 March 2025.
[21] Information provided by IGI-DAI, 18 January 2024.
[22] Information provided by IGI during ECRE fact-finding visit at the Timisoara Reception Centre, 20 March 2025.
[23] Information provided by CNRR in February 2025.