Træna is an island community at the far end of the ocean gap on the Helgeland coast, and consists of several small fishing villages. The municipality has never before received refugees. But after the war broke out in Ukraine, all municipalities in Norway were asked by IMDI if they could accept refugees. A large-scale mobilization was launched. And Træna signed up for the workshop. The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) estimated that 30,000 Ukrainian refugees would come to the country during the year. So far, almost 14,000 refugees have settled, according to the Directorate for Integration and Diversity (IMDi). – It is a historically high number, considering that all of these have been resident for the last four months, Halwan Ibrahim says to news. He is assistant director and division director for settlement and qualification in IMDi. In a “normal year”, Norway receives about 5,000 refugees. THE MUNICIPALITY CENTER: Selvær is part of Træna municipality, where the municipal center is located on Husøy. Træna is located at the far end of the sea gap on the Helgeland coast, 33 nautical miles from the mainland. Delayed At Selvær, they are now getting ready to receive 6-10 refugees. We are talking about an adult couple and two families with children. If all these 10 come to Selvær, the population will increase by 20 percent from the current around 50 inhabitants. The couple from Ukraine should have already been in place, but are delayed due to the SAS strike. – We think it will be very good for those who come, we have suitable houses and gradually build up an apparatus in relation to the individual needs people have. But we do not know until people arrive. This is what municipal director Torild Fogelberg Hansen says. She looks forward to the refugees arriving, and says that the locals are looking forward to having new inhabitants. Already 27 percent of the population in the municipality is of foreign origin. There are especially workers from Eastern Europe such as Poland and Lithuania. – So it’s a strength. Because you experience Træna as a small local international community already. Most work in the fishing industry, which is the cornerstone company in the island community. Challenges Hansen points to some challenges in receiving refugees far out in the open sea. – If you need follow-up from the specialist health service, for example, it can be unfavorable to live so far away. The municipality has therefore been in dialogue with IMDi and ensured that those who come do not have special health challenges and that they are aware that it takes four hours by boat into the “city”. – Those who come should know where they are going and what they are going to. That they know the conditions. So we have had an enormous amount of contact with the receptions to ensure that they understand what they are getting into. – Then we can hope that someone thinks it is exotic. Halwan Ibrahim. Photo: IMDI Halwan Ibrahim confirms that IMDi has a good dialogue with the municipality. – The training shows a positive will and we have a good dialogue and cooperation, he says to news. Under normal circumstances, the authorities set requirements for the municipalities that are to settle refugees. This applies, among other things, to capacity, competence and the labor market in the region. However, due to the expected influx of people from Ukraine, these requirements have been set aside. – Necessary to use the whole country – Is it justifiable for a small island community far out in the open sea, which has never settled refugees before, to take care of vulnerable people? – The municipalities are best suited to evaluate their own capacity and competence before they agree to settle refugees. And then I must emphasize that it is necessary to use the whole country if we are to be able to settle the large number of refugees who come. Ibrahim emphasizes that all refugees will be offered an introductory program and Norwegian language training, regardless of where they live. But then the question is: What if the refugees do not want to live on an island? Ibrahim says that the refugees can report their needs and wishes when they are mapped by the UDI’s reception. The information about the individual refugee is assessed against the consideration of the fastest possible settlement, capacity in the municipality and any need for accommodation. But the refugees only get an offer. They do not get a new one if they are not happy. – But the individual is free to establish themselves where they want, if they have a job and can support themselves, Ibrahim emphasizes. BOAT TO SCHOOL: At Selvær there is no school bus, but a school boat. Two children already live on the island. Photo: Helge Lyngmoe / news
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Receives its first refugees far out in the open sea – news Nordland
