Table 2 Typology of supporters for asylum seekers and migrants with irregular status
NGOs and specialized organizations | Other CSOs (associations of volunteers, churches, trade unions…) | Social movements | Common Citizens | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Main activities | SAR in the sea, reception on land | Language schools; Medical services; Legal advocacy; Bureaucratic assistance; Provision of basic assistance: bath, bed and bread | Political protest, but increasingly provision of services (e.g. accommodation in squatted buildings) | Donation of food, clothes, money; accommodation; Volunteering; socialization, leisure |
Political engagement | Variable, recently higher against harsher closure of borders | Variable, but increasingly coupled with the provision of services | Main focus (no borders movements) | Variable, often relevant as the reason to mobilise |
Formalization | High (formal organizations, contracts with public authorities) | Mix of formal structures and informal activities | Low, but self-organization | Low (spontaneous mobilization) |
Human resources | Mainly professionals, volunteers as supplementary resources | Variable, but often volunteering is relevant | Militants/volunteers | Only volunteers |