ORS Annual Report 2020 English

MILESTONES
2020
Italy
ORS Italy – professionalism in uncertain times
thanks to committed employees
Operative support work in Sardinia
finally got the green light at the beginning
of 2020. ORS Italy was able to
open the repatriation centre Macomer
CPR in January 2020 and in April,
mid-pandemic, the reception centre
Monastir CAS. From the outset, the
tensions caused in the centres by the
coronavirus situation meant that we
had to be mindful of the health and
the safety of both residents and staff.
Riots and protests by the residents
have been part and parcel of life at
the centres since and require professional
handling by our staff.
ORS Italy is also subject to regular
criticism in the media, although this
criticism often fails to make a distinction
between operative support
work and the political system.
Six days to set up a centre
At the express wish of the Prefecture
of Cagliari, the Monastir reception
centre was opened six days after
the contract was awarded. It is only
thanks to good organisation and the
brave commitment of the regional
management and staff that we managed
to pull off this Herculean task.
Following various visits from politicians,
officials, government representatives
and the UNHCR, ORS
Italy is delighted at the positive feedback
on the support provided for the
residents and the professional way in
which the centres are run.
Point of contact for boat refugees
Just under 80 coronavirus patients
were cared for by ORS’s own support
and medical staff. The ORS team
was also the first point of contact for
around 1,200 boat refugees arriving
on European soil. We did experience
some critical situations, where
quarantine regulations and limited
freedom of movement provoked tremendous
potential for aggression,
but have been able to get these under
control. The ‘mediations’ carried
out in particular by the female staff
have helped engender understanding
among the residents and a willingness
to cooperate. Talking, listening
and showing empathy has paid off.
The women in particular deserve recognition
for their invaluable work.
32 33