Among several difficulties faced by asylum seekers at their arrival, some have been more voiced than others. It is the case for the lack of translators, in the health sector for instance and the difficulty to find foster families for minors.

Minister of Health Guntis Belevics expressed that while translation can be provided when asylum seekers are awaiting a decision on their status, it is not clear how it will be provided afterwards. Similarly, while general practitioners will receive extra remuneration for treating refugees, it is not clear whether this sum is also intended to cover translator fees.The Director of the National Health Service stated that given the limited budget of the health sector, financing for translators should come from another source. 

The Ministry of Culture, which is partly responsible for implementing the refugee reception plan, announced that translators, along with other specialists, will be contracted though public tenders. Until then, it recommended to seek help from the NGO “Shelter - Safe House”.

Another difficulty highlighted while dealing with the refugees who have currently reached Latvia concerns the ability to provide foster families for minors. In a recent case, Ingrida Zunde, the head of Ropazu municipality Orphans’ court, had to post her plea on Facebook when seeking a foster family for a 16 year old refugee from Afghanistan. While the the State Inspectorate For Protection Of Children's Rights has condemned such means, Zunde explained that she turned to Facebook only after traditional routes had failed her.

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