Unaccompanied minors (JENA) are asylum seekers under the age of 18 who flee their countries of origin without the company of family members or legal guardians. The JENA who live in Portugal come from various parts of the globe for various reasons. Many of them have passed through several countries and spent several years in refugee camps before they arrived here.
What happens to these young people when they arrive in Portugal?
Under the Portuguese government’s host program, JENA begins their way in Portugal in one of two solutions:
- Specialized reception centres: young people are expected to stay here for 3-6 months while preparing for a life in autonomy.
- Apartments in partial autonomy, with the support of specialized technical teams, or complete autonomy, living alone.
What are the current limitations?
- The initial period of 3-6 months is insufficient for adolescent to prepare to live alone in a new country and in a new culture;
- The governmental host program meets only the basic needs of young people – housing, clothing, food, public health care and education;
- The Portuguese language learning offers are not adjusted to the needs and capacities of these youngsters;
- Teachers working with refugees and migrants do not receive training or support to do so;
- Access to mental health services is insufficient and almost inexistent;
- When in autonomy, JENA have to bear all their living costs, including apartment rental on the free market, with a maximum allowance of value corresponding to the Portuguese Social Support Index (2023: 480,43€)
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