Unit:
Κατεύθυνση Συμβουλευτική Κοινωνική ΕργασίαLibrary of the School of Education
Author:
Delimpasi Aikaterini
Supervisors info:
Αγάπη Κανδυλάκη, Καθηγήτρια, Τμήμα Κοινωνικής Εργασίας, ΔΠΘ
Original Title:
Πανδημία και πρόσφυγες μέσα από το λόγο των επαγγελματιών
Translated title:
Pandemic and refugees through the words of professionals
Summary:
The COVID-19 pandemic constitutes an unprecedented and life-threatening situation for humanity. Refugees comprise already a vulnerable social group living in a constant state of anxiety and insecurity. Refugees’ health, when affected by the disease COVID-19, is at higher risk, due to the unsafe living conditions. The long-term consequences of the pandemic are also disproportionately affecting refugees at psychological and social level.
The current master's thesis entitled "Pandemic and refugees through the words of professionals" aims to investigate the psychosocial dimensions of the refugee state during the COVID-19 pandemic, through the words of professionals who work on the front line of response and psychosocial support for refugees and asylum seekers.
Based on the interviews taken from the professionals is profound that refugees and asylum seekers experienced the pandemic with particular difficulty, while fundamental human rights appeared to be violated. The main factor is inhumane living conditions, while insecurity, fear, lack of information and exclusion from services acted as aggravating factors. At the same time, the professionals who took part in the research felt a lot of stress, however, they were trying to cope with the new situation and support their beneficiaries in the best possible way.
The results of the research showed that it is of the utmost importance that there should be holistic care and concern of the state towards the refugee population. The Greek state should take significant measures through changes that will ensure refugees’ security and not be treated as second-class citizens.
Main subject category:
Social, Political and Economic sciences
Keywords:
refugees, refugee facilities, pandemic, COVID-19
