The Agency for the Welfare of Asylum Seekers (AWAS) within the Ministry for Home Affairs and National Security benefitted from the Asylum, Migration and Integration Funds (AMIF) for the programming period 2014 -2020. This project sought to enhance the level of security at open accommodation centres managed by AWAS notably the Hal Far Tent Village (HTV) and Hal Far Open Centre (HOC). The total cost of the project is €708,149 (including eligible VAT).
The general objective of the project is to provide a more secure environment to the residents by having regular round the clock coverage by security personnel who guarantee a safe environment for service-users, staff and accredited visitors. The open centres accommodate many people coming from different nationalities, and the presence of the security officer in the open centres was proven to be much required as undoubtedly increased the level of safety within the centres. The assistance provided under the AMIF has enabled AWAS to outsource the security service from August 2016 to date.