CLAIM – Portimão Local Support Center for the Integration of Migrants marks this Thursday, April 20, seven years of doors and has already provided a total of 15.570 assistances.
On this special date, the Museum of Portimão hosts a meeting of the CLAIM network in the Algarve, where the work of each CLAIM, good practices and constraints will be disclosed, with a view to sharing experiences, with a view to building future intervention strategies.
Created on April 20, 2016 as a result of the protocol established between the Portimão City Council and the High Commission for Migration, the local CLAIM has been especially sought after by migrants from Brazil, Guinea-Bissau, Cape Verde, India, and Algeria, a total of 38 nationalities, with the majority of assistance related to issues of legalization, residency renewals, family reunification, nationality, education (registration of minors) and health (assignment of user number).
Between 2016 and the end of 2022, 14.984 services were provided by CLAIM in Portimão, while since last year, 586 services have been provided, of which 368 were for men and 218 for women, mostly in the 40 to 49 age group. (25%) and from 30 to 39 years old (23%).
According to the most recent data available at the SEF – Foreigners and Borders Service, referring to 2021, in the municipality of Portimão there were 12.014 migrants with residence permits, mostly from Brazil (3091), followed by the United Kingdom (1286), Romania (953), Italy (864), Ukraine (744), India (538), France (532) and Moldova (527), numbers that are currently far from reality, especially with regard to Brazilians, Ukrainians and Indians.
CLAIM in Portimão has a partnership with the National Immigrant Support Centre, SEF in Portimão, Barlavento Health Center Group, Algarve University Hospital Centre, Institute for Employment and Vocational Training, Parish Councils of Alvor, Mexilhoeira Grande and Portimão, Municipal Civil Protection, Portimão Firefighters, Professional Insertion Office of GRATO – Support Group for Drug Addicts, Social Security and social intervention associations in the areas of support for migrants and support for the most vulnerable population.
CLAIM in Portimão, located at door 5 of the Town Hall building, is open on working days between 10:30 am and 13:00 pm, and from 14:00 pm to 17:00 pm, and can be contacted by telephone 282 248 538, or by email claim.portimao@cm -portimao.pt
Created in 2003 and currently made up of 156 Centers, from the north to the south of the country and islands, the CLAIM network offices and reception spaces provide information and support to migrants in different areas, from the regularization of the migratory situation to entrepreneurship, passing through obtaining nationality, family reunification, housing, work, social security, voluntary return, health and education, among others.
Portimão's CLAIM works in close cooperation with the three associations founded in the municipality: Associação CAPELA – Support Center for Eastern Countries and Friends, All Mozambi and ESOSA – Associação Africana.
CAPELA, created on February 25, 2005, develops several projects and initiatives within the scope of equal opportunities for immigrants, especially in terms of awareness, information on immigration issues at local level, in order to facilitate the integration process of its members of 32 nationalities, which makes it one of the largest associations in the Algarve region.
In addition, it promotes civil rights and carries out various cultural activities, having received a Medal of Municipal Merit for its social work, contributing to the integration of immigrants into the Portimon community.
Created in 2012, All Mozambi aims to stimulate relationships, namely through cultural and recreational activities between members and the community, promoting the culture and traditions of Mozambique.
This entity is also responsible for actions aimed at integrating Mozambicans into the labor environment, also collaborating in the regularization of documentation.
Founded just over a year ago, ESOSA is the most recent migrant association in Portimão, with the aim of creating unity among peoples, so that immigrants feel at home, regardless of their origins.
The association has a deep connection with the Order of Missionaries of Charity, founded by Mother Teresa of Calcutta, seeking to help those most in need.
Among the various social responses provided, ESOSA serves meals to the homeless and seeks to arrange accommodation and work for those who use its services, helping to complete documentation and ensuring that migrants are forwarded to the CLAIM of Portimão, the SEF or the Security Social in accordance with the type of support needed.
In addition to Portuguese classes for Indians and the weekly socializing of Africans, which takes place on Saturdays, the association intends to extend its intervention to the young public, namely by implementing an area of school support.
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