Invisible People: The Integration Support Needs of Refugee Families Reunified in Ireland

The separation of families when people flee persecution and conflict can have devastating consequences on family members’ wellbeing and their ability to rebuild their lives. One of the key themes that emerges from the testimonies set out in this report is how family unity is for many a primary dimension of the refugee experience and one which can continue to have a profound effect on the lives of refugees far beyond the recognition of status. UNHCR believes that refugees must be at the centre of decision-making concerning their protection and well-being. In order to gain a deeper understanding of the protection problems they face, it is essential to consult them directly and to listen to them. As such, participatory assessment forms the basis for the implementation of a rights and community-based approach. When Nasc invited me to join the Steering Committee for this report, I was therefore delighted to accept and to support this important research which, by design, places the voices of refugees at the heart of its works.