The European Asylum Support Office (EASO) has announced their plan for receiving new asylum seekers as immigrants to Spain in 2021, according to an announcement published by EASO.
EASO will deploy personnel to Spain, and will provide the following services according to the announcement:
- “Support in the transition towards a new model for reception in the country;”
- “Enhance structural procedures in support of the Spanish reception system;”
- “Contribute to strengthening capacity within the Spanish reception system through professional development, tools, and materials;”
- “Provide enhanced capacity to reception services in the Canary Islands;”
- “Support the Spanish authorities in the area of resettlement.”
EASO’s new plan for Spain is following an evaluation called a Joint Rapid Needs Assessment (JRNA) that was conducted in September and October 2020. The JRNA concluded that Spanish authorities needed assistance in the areas mentioned in the plan above, which are now EASO’s area of focus within the country.
The plan from EASO came into force immediately after being signed by EASO Executive Director Nina Gregori and the State Secretary for Migration in Spain Hana Jalloul Muro, according to the announcement.
“ I am proud that EASO is once again able to quickly provide tangible support to frontline Member States’ asylum and reception capacity. I want to personally thank State Secretary Jalloul Muro and her services for the exceptional partnership that we have already developed, and for Spain’s clear commitment to the EU’s reception standards. EASO will immediately begin working to implement the Operating Plan and assist our colleagues in Spain,” Gregori said regarding the new action plan.
Spain will become EASO’s fifth ongoing operation in the EU, with the other operations being Greece, Malta, Italy, and Cyprus. EASO has roughly 2,000 personnel deployed in the aforementioned Member States, which is “an unprecedented level of support,” nearly doubling in the year 2020 alone.
As the operation in Spain is ongoing, a project termination date has not been announced.
