Welcoming refugee families: A qualitative study of 20 professionals’ views of resettlement of Syrian families in Iceland

Abstract

Concentrating on the largest refugee crisis in recent history, the need for countries to develop and implement resettlement programs has become imperative. This study’s focus is to understand the experience of professionals’ engagement with the program in Iceland. This is a qualitative study of the professional experiences of 20 providers. Consented audio-recorded interviews were transcribed, and thematically analyzed. The participants described available resources, expected familial needs, and a lack of cultural experts as challenges, but felt that their strengths were their development of service coordination via inter-departmental monthly meetings, and their approach to resettlement to include the needs of host communities as well.