Where are we at?
On May 4th, David Cameron confirmed that the government would support the Dubs amendment regarding child refugees in Europe, brought by Lord Alf Dubs. The Government agreed to:
- Speed up the family reunion of lonerefugee children in Europe who have family connections in the UK.
- In consultation with local authorities, the government will decide how many unaccompanied minors in Europe with no family connections in the UK can be relocated to the UK.
This, together with the fact there are many unaccompanied minor refugees already in the UK, provides us with a means with which to engage.
How can we help?
- Check out The Safe Passage Project safepassage.org.uk, which is working to identify children in Europe who can be reunited with family in the UK. They are looking for volunteer lawyers and interpreters.
- Work with your local MP and council to persuade them to agree to resettle children in Europe who have no family connections in the UK. The most effective way of doing this is through a broad-based group such as Refugee Welcome, who are working with local councils across the UK on the resettlement of Syrian refugees. refugees-welcome.org.uk/campaigning-for-changewith
- If you are in communication with your local council then negotiations will be more effective if you are able to offer support to these unaccompanied minors once they arrive. That might mean becoming a foster carer, a supported lodgings host or offering some voluntary time through a local charity supporting refugee children. Most asylum seeking children are teenage boys aged 16+ of whom a large number are already in the UK and who would benefit from your support. If you would like to find out more about fostering contact homeforgood.org.uk
However you decide to offer welcome, please enter it prayerfully and with humility, remembering that when you reach out, you are welcoming in Christ.
Angela Afzal is refugee response coordinator for Capital Mass: a partnership with the Church Urban Fund and Diocese of London
