The Health Centre for Asylum Seekers
Access to medical care is part of the right to reception. For GP care, asylum seekers go to the Health Centre for Asylum Seekers (GZA), a national GP practice of healthcare organisation Arts en Zorg. There is a health centre in or near every reception centre. In the centre a GP works together with a practice nurse, an assistant practitioner for mental healthcare (poh ggz) and a practice assistant. They all have good awareness of language and cultural differences.
GGD GHOR
The Municipal Health Service (GGD GHOR) is responsible for public healthcare for asylum seekers. This care includes the pediatrichealthcare (JGZ), treatment and prevention of infectious diseases and providing health information. The GGD provides group information in every reception centre about different themes, such as self-care and psychological and sexual health. The GGD also carries out the compulsory TB check upon arrival, for asylum seekers from countries where TB is common.
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army contributes structurally to the collection, sorting and supply of clothes for asylum seekers in the COA centres. The Salvation Army carries out this task for those in need via its 60 corpses and 6 ReShare Stores. Also when the COA receives clothing for which there is no demand, the Salvation Army takes care of collection and sorting.
Nidos Foundation
Nidos Foundation is the guardianship organisation for unaccompanied minors (UAMs). Under Dutch law, every minor needs an adult who manages their interests. This can be a parent, or in the absence of parents, a guardian. UAMs don't have parents in the Netherlands. In their case, Nidos is responsible for their guardianship. The COA has special types of reception for UAMs.
Red Cross
The Red Cross supports the COA in accommodating asylum seekers in emergency locations. The COA can deploy relief workers seven days a week. The relief workers welcome people and provide general services on site. They also coordinate and distribute clothing and help with escorted transport and the search for missing relatives. They also call in volunteer workers through their citizen aid network Ready2Help .
Legal Aid Board (RvR)
The Legal Aid Board (RvR) is responsible for the organisation of subsidised mediation and legal aid in the Netherlands. The RvR assigns lawyers to asylum seekers to provide them legal aid during the asylum procedure. The RvR works together closely with the Dutch Council for Refugees.
Takecarebnb
The Takecarebnb foundation establishes contact between status holders who are waiting for their own accommodation and host families who would like to open up their home to them for 3 months. In that case, the status holder is using the hosting scheme of the COA.
TeamUp
In their project TeamUp, War Child, Save the Children and UNICEF provide sports, games, and exercise for children in the reception centre. The goal of TeamUp is to support children aged between 6 and 18 socially and emotionally.
UAF
Foundation for Student-refugees UAF makes efforts for the development of refugee students and professionals, and their integration into the Dutch labour market. The UAF gives advice, counselling and financial support to refugees and asylum seekers when they choose or follow their study programme and look for a job.
The Dutch Council for Refugees (VWN)
The Dutch Council for Refugees (VWN) is an independent organisation that promotes the interests of refugees and asylum seekers. Their work varies from personal support during the asylum procedure to practical guidance and support in building a new life in the Netherlands. VWN works closely together with the Legal Aid Board. In every reception centre there is staff from the Dutch Council for Refugees, or they have a consultation hour.
