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International protection
Asylum. The protection granted by a state to someone who has left their home country as a refugee.
Isolation zone
A room or corridor at the reception centre where people must be kept separate for a minimum of 7 days. People in the isolation zone may not have any contact with other residents at the reception centre. This isolation (separation) is necessary in order to prevent other people from getting ill and to stop the coronavirus from spreading further.
Herd immunity
Herd immunity occurs when a large group of people build up resistance to a virus. This makes it harder for the virus to spread further.
Asylum
International protection. The protection granted by a state to someone who has left their home country as a refugee.
Financial support
Offering help by giving money. For example, the CPAS/OCMW may decide to give you a living wage if you do not have sufficient means to live decently.
Annex 26 (quinquies)
The document you receive from the Immigration Office after lodging your application for international protection.
Lawyer
A lawyer is someone who can give you advice about your asylum procedure and other legal procedures. A lawyer can represent you and defend you in court.
LAO / BJB / BAJ
Legal Aid Office.
Language communities
Belgium has three official national languages: Dutch, French and German. Belgium is made up of 3 language communities: the Dutch-speaking Community, the French-speaking Community and the German-speaking Community.
Municipality
The municipality, the CPAS/OCMW and the police together form the local administration. You can go to the municipality for administrative matters: registration of a birth or marriage, or registering with the municipality, etc.
The CGRS (CGVS/CGRA) can end your subsidiary protection. This can be done by cancelling or revoking your status.
You may decide to stop the application procedure for international protection.
If you have obtained a diploma abroad and you want to work in Wallonia or Brussels, you can have your diploma recognised. How? You have to request the 'equivalence' of your diploma from the Wallonia-Brussels Federation.
When you live together with many people in one building, there is a chance that you get an infectious disease, like scabies.
Asylum seekers can participate in activities, both inside and outside the reception centre.
If you are a minor and without a father or mother in Belgium, you will be assigned a guardian.
Are you a minor (younger than 18) and did you come to Belgium without your parents or a legal guardian? Then you are considered to be an unaccompanied foreign minor.
Tap water is drinkable in Belgium. Only if there is a sign saying it is prohibited, then you cannot drink the water.
Belgium gives special attention to women applying for international protection. During the interview with the CGRS (CGRA/CGVS) it is important that you talk about the difficulties from which you, as a woman, have fled.