Refugee Accommodation

• Every accommodation centre has its "house regulations" ("Hausordnung") which apply to all of its residents. These rules specify, for example, when one can have visitors or at what time the "Quiet Hours" start in the evenings. The centre's director is responsible for overseeing the implementation of these rules.
• The security staff are responsible for the safety of the residents and keeping the order. That's why they are allowed to control visitors' ID cards. At least one female security employee must always be present at accommodation centres.
• The social workers take care of the social problems in the accommodation centre. You can approach these employees whenever you have questions or face challenges. They can assist you, e.g. in registering at a day-care centre, searching for an apartment or seeking a doctor or counselling centre.

Attention: The employees in the accommodation centres are not responsible for your legal issues, e.g. asylum procedure. They cannot influence your asylum procedure's results or the amount of social assistance you receive- neither are they permitted to pass any information about you to the BAMF or other authorities.

You are entitled to live in a safe space. Women, adolescents and children, in particular, need to be protected from threats or violence. The accommodation centres must ensure that all their residents feel safe, have their privacy, and know where to get help. In July 2016, the Ministry of Family Affairs along with UNICEF and other organisations, such as Plan International Germany e.V. has developed a program to implement the minimum standards for the protection of children, adolescents and women in refugee accommodation centres and all the centres were required to comply. These standards require children, adolescents and women to be protected from violence and to be guaranteed access to medical and psychosocial care. Besides, in every centre, there should be specific room, in which the children and youth can play and learn together.

There are standards for placement in an accommodation centre. In general, you have no say in which room you will be accommodated, and the single individuals cannot choose who to share the room with. If you have any problems with your roommates, contact the social workers or the centre's director.

• As a couple or family, you have the right to live together in a room.
• Women can only be accommodated in a room with other women.
• It is your right to have a room with a door lock and key. If you share the room with other people, you have the right to a cabinet with a lockable door.
• The centre's management personnel are not allowed to enter your room without your permission.
• No room control is allowed in your absence or without prior notice.
• You have the right to receive visitors during the day-time.
• You should receive fresh towels every week and clean bed linen every second week.
• You must inform the centre's management office if you are going to be absent overnight. If you stay out of the centre for more than 3 consequent nights, the centre may assign your room/bed to another person. Your personal belongings, of course, must be kept safe.
• You have the right to clean, accessible and gender-specific toilets and showers.
• You have the right to healthy, diverse and adequate food. It must not contain pork meat.
• The centre's management must inform you about your incoming letters on a daily basis.

There are always some accommodation centres that do not adhere to these rules and standards. Much has already been done to improve the situation in all the centres, but there are still shortcomings. If there are problems in your centre and your rights are disregarded, contact a counselling centre or the Refugee Council ("Flüchtlingsrat) in your state. Here you will find a list of counselling centres in your federal state of residence.

In case you are being insulted, discriminated against, threatened or confronted with sexual or physical violence in your accommodation centre, please directly refer to the centre's administration or the social worker. If they do not help or are in fact part of the problem, then contact a counselling centre. On the website of the Anti-discrimination Office, you will find a list of counselling centres in your area. If you are a woman, you can also visit http://www.frauen-gegen-gewalt.de/and frauenhauskoordinierung.de to seek a counselling session in your language nearby. You can also call the Helpline at 08000-116016. The staff there are available day and night, and they speak many different languages.