Support measures for reception and accommodation of persons in need of international protection in Latvia (1st phase)

• The project provided material, medical, psychological assistance and translation services to 1,681 asylum seeker.
• The project partner, the State Provision Agency, improved the infrastructure of the asylum seekers' accommodation centre in Mucenieki by renovating the water supply system, installing a ventilation system and hot water storage tanks, installing a roof snow barrier, and carrying out minor maintenance works, including replacing the entrance door.
• The new asylum seekers' accommodation centre in Liepna has been organised – family doctor services, gym rental, 24-hour security, utilities, passenger minibus has been purchased.
• Project experts have provided support to 13,929 Ukrainian civilians by providing consultations on residence in Latvia, processing and issuing residence permits, entering data into information systems.
• 48 OCMA employees have participated in training in Latvia and abroad and have acquired skills in first aid, hygiene requirements in contact with food, fire management, stress management in professional communication, dealing with manipulative persons, as well as with persons with mental disorders. The OCMA employees have been trained in the European Union Asylum Agency's training module on reception and accommodation of asylum seekers, and have participated in a conference on temporary protection for Ukrainian civilians.   

• The project provided material, medical, psychological assistance and translation services to 1,966 asylum seeker.
• The project partner, the State Provision Agency, improved the infrastructure of the Asylum Seekers Accommodation Centre (hereinafter – ASAC) in Mucenieki by renovating the water supply system, installing a ventilation system and hot water storage tanks, installing a roof snow barrier, and carrying out minor maintenance works, including replacing the entrance door.
• In cooperation with the project partner, the Information Centre of the Ministry of the Interior, ASAC Liepna provided maintenance of the video surveillance system, data transmission and routine maintenance of office equipment.
• ASAC Liepna continuously provides activities, including family doctor services, gym rental, 24-hour security, utilities, and has purchased a passenger minibus.
• Project experts provided support to 14,866 Ukrainian civilians by providing consultations on residence in Latvia, processing and issuing residence permits, entering data into information systems.
• 60 OCMA employees have participated in training in Latvia and abroad and have acquired skills in first aid, hygiene requirements in contact with food, fire management, stress management in professional communication, crisis preparedness and crisis management in the organisation, dealing with manipulative persons and persons with mental disabilities. The OCMA employees have attended the training modules of the European Union Asylum Agency: reception and accommodation of asylum seekers; reception of vulnerable persons: identification of vulnerability and initial support; victims of gender-based violence, as well as a conference on asylum and temporary protection for Ukrainian civilians.   

• During the project implementation period from 01.01.2023 to 30.09.2024 a total of 2,451 asylum seekers were provided with material, medical, psychological assistance and translation services.
• In July 2024, the procurement procedure provided for purchase of 2 new electric passenger vans for the Asylum Seekers Accommodation Centres (hereafter – ASAC) in Mucenieki and Liepna.
• The project partner, the State Provision Agency, has made improvements to the ASAC infrastructure – in the 3rd quarter of 2024, building maintenance works were carried out, including replacement of internal doors, repairs to sanitary facilities. Two electric car charging stations were built. Replacement of damaged equipment in the shared kitchens of the ASAC has been started: 11 industrial cookers have been purchased.
•  In cooperation with the Project partner, the Information Centre of the Ministry of the Interior, ASAC Liepna provided maintenance of the video surveillance system, data transmission and routine maintenance of office equipment.
• Two communication campaigns have been implemented within the Project – "Communication Campaign to Inform Ukrainian Civilians" on the risks of human trafficking and "Humanity. Response. Responsibility”.
• 71 OCMA employees have participated in training in Latvia and abroad and have acquired skills in first aid, hygiene requirements in contact with food, fire management, stress management in professional communication, dealing with manipulative persons, as well as with persons with mental disorders. The OCMA employees have been trained in the European Union Asylum Agency's training modules on reception and accommodation of asylum seekers, children during the process of asylum, and have participated in migration summer school.  

During the project implementation period from 01.01.2023 to 31.12.2024, support was provided to asylum seekers:

• Material, medical, and psychological assistance was provided to 2,699 asylum seekers.

• Translation services were provided.

• Two new electric minibuses and one minibus with an internal combustion engine were purchased for the needs of the PMIC (Asylum Seekers Accommodation Center) in Mucenieki and Liepna.

• Renovation work was carried out on PMIC buildings:

  • Interior doors were replaced, and sanitary facilities were renovated.

  • Two electric vehicle charging stations were installed.

  • The water supply system was renovated, a ventilation system was installed, and hot water storage tanks were set up.

  • Damaged communal kitchen equipment was replaced.

  • A snow guard was installed on the roof, and entrance doors were replaced.

Security and technical support improvements:

• Maintenance of the video surveillance system at PMIC Liepna in cooperation with the Information Center of the Ministry of the Interior.

• Data transmission and office equipment maintenance were ensured.

Communication and public awareness:

• An information campaign for Ukrainian civilians about the risks of human trafficking.

• A campaign on asylum-related issues titled “Humanity. Responsiveness. Responsibility,” which included the development of video materials and the updating of informational brochures.

Training of OCMA (Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs) staff:
Staff participated in training sessions in Latvia and abroad, learning:

• First aid provision.

• Hygiene requirements in contact with food.

• Actions in case of fire.

• Stress management and professional communication.

• Interaction with manipulative individuals and persons with mental disorders.

• Organizational crisis preparedness and crisis management.

• How to deliver negative information when working with particularly vulnerable individuals.

The implementation of the project has ensured significant improvements in PMIC infrastructure, security, and access to information, while also enhancing the professional skills of the staff.

Published on 24.01.2025.

During the project implementation period from 01.01.2023 to 31.03.2025, support was provided to asylum seekers:

• Material, medical, and psychological assistance was provided to 2,799 asylum seekers.

• Translation services were provided.

• Two new electric minibuses and one minibus with an internal combustion engine were purchased for the needs of the PMIC (Asylum Seekers Accommodation Center) in Mucenieki and Liepna.

• Renovation work was carried out on PMIC buildings:

  • Interior doors were replaced, and sanitary facilities were renovated.

  • Two electric vehicle charging stations were installed.

  • The water supply system was renovated, a ventilation system was installed, and hot water storage tanks were set up.

  • Damaged communal kitchen equipment was replaced.

  • A snow guard was installed on the roof, and entrance doors were replaced.

Improvements in security and technical support:

• The children’s playground at PMIC Mucenieki was renovated.

• Maintenance of the video surveillance system at PMIC Liepna was carried out in cooperation with the Information Center of the Ministry of the Interior.

• Data transmission and office equipment maintenance were ensured.

Communication and public awareness:

• An information campaign for Ukrainian civilians on the risks of human trafficking.

• A campaign on asylum-related issues titled “Humanity. Responsiveness. Responsibility”, including the development of video materials and the updating of informational brochures.

Training of OCMA (Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs) staff:
Staff participated in training sessions in Latvia and abroad, gaining knowledge in:

• First aid provision

• Hygiene requirements in food handling

• Fire emergency procedures

• Stress management and professional communication

• Interaction with manipulative individuals and persons with mental disorders

• Organizational crisis preparedness and crisis management

• Communicating negative information when working with particularly vulnerable persons

• Safe driving training

The implementation of the project has ensured significant improvements in PMIC infrastructure, safety, and access to information, while also enhancing the professional skills of staff.

Published on 24.01.2025.