How to support Afghan refugee families in the UK

Due to the fall of Afghanistan TalibanThousands of families have been forced to take refuge in the UK, and ministers have promised to host as many as 20,000 people in the coming weeks and months. So far, their stories are mixed, But the response of British readers has been consistent: What can we do to support these families, and what is the best way I can help?

concern refugee The face shape is very wide. In the short term, they need food, clothes, smartphones, toiletries and baby supplies, but in the long term, they need work, housing, school, and community. “We need social gatherings and cultural events so that we can feel part of the community,” said Sayed Hashemi, the father of three children who lives in a hotel in Canterbury. Tell the evening standard this week.

For Hashemi and his family, the response after they arrived in the UK three weeks ago was mixed. “People look at us as if we are refugees, we are not part of the community, we are not,” he said in a hotel room last night. But an interaction with the Kents gave them a glimmer of hope: A few days ago, an English family with four children approached them on the street and invited them to barbecue in their garden.

“They showed us true humanity and expressed their Afghanistan We cried when we told them our story,” Hashimi said. “It’s amazing.They even play games for our children and provide us with their bicycles for us to ride our bikes Whitstable. This kind of thing has never happened in Eastern communities. “

Several readers of the Hashemi story received similar invitations, and a professional coach in London generously provided him with unpaid support. But these are just two of the countless ways you can help, no matter where you are. Today, you can express your support for Afghan refugees in some of the fastest and most effective ways.

This is a collaboration between the City Hall, the London Parliament and the London Community Foundation, hoping to become a “one-stop shop” for people to donate to resettlement work and help refugees build a new life.Check This twitter thread Read more about it.

The charity appealed to help Afghans who are currently resettling in the UK. By donating today, you can help provide life-changing services to refugees who have arrived in the UK but have lost everything, including mental health support, child services and education, employment assistance, and English language and integration courses.

The Red Cross has supported hundreds of new arrivals from Afghanistan in Leicester, Chelmsford, Hampshire, Cheshire, Birmingham, Britz Norton in Oxfordshire and Wrexham in Wales. Donations are welcome.

A Christian charity that helps refugees rebuild their lives in the UK. It has always provided welcome gift boxes for refugees and organized various activities, from English courses to community integration.

Fundraising person Vicki Offin told the Press Association: “The welcome box we provided is like our first contact. We introduced the refugees to all the things we can help them. The box contains toiletries, pens and useful general odds and ends. thing.

“This is an opportunity to make friends with someone, just let them know that we are here and can support them, help them find the community and become friendly faces and knock on the door. We are still in the early stages…getting to know people and getting to know them Where our needs are so that we can provide personal assistance.”

The voluntary organization “Knights of Malta”-which opened three food kitchens in the capital every week before the Covid crisis-launched a new appeal to provide Afghan refugees with clothes and toiletries. Ten days ago, they delivered 4,500 items to the Plaza Hotel in Victoria, where they recently received 215 refugees who had just arrived from Afghanistan. The organization is now coordinating the delivery from hubs in London and the United Kingdom.

You can use the donation button, bank transfer or check on their website to support it.Details on the website here.

The charity is operating collection centers across the UK, and is specifically asking for quality shoes and jackets, unlocked smartphones, and baby products from strollers to slings for adults and children.Check This map Find the drop off point closest to you.

If possible, put your donation in a bag and mark the size or age-then the items will be sorted according to the number and age of the nearby hotels. The charity also raises funds for the purchase of new underwear and socks, as well as the rental of storage rooms and vehicles.

In addition to in-kind donations, the charity also urgently needs volunteers to contribute their time, whether it is classified donations or shipping goods across the country.

A charity in Kent that supports young Afghan asylum seekers.Support its crowdfunding appeal to support the mental health of young refugees here.

This 35-year-old charity is supporting new immigrants from Afghanistan through its new emergency fund. Louise Calvey led the Afghan refugees we welcomed the moment they arrived in the UK, and she recently accepted an interview with BBC Radio 4’s “Women’s Hour”, outlining what her charity provides Support-They are raising £215,000 urgently to meet the upcoming week of demand.

Donations will be used to welcome newly arrived refugees, advise and protect them.

A charity that empowers refugees living in the UK through education, training and employment. A monthly donation of £15 can cover the travel expenses of refugees to participate in their employment program. £25 a month can help refugees improve their language skills through one of Breaking Barriers’ English courses.

At the same time, £50 per month can provide refugees with customized one-on-one employment support, including a skilled consultant from a charity.

A community-led charity provides a way for people to welcome and embrace newcomers. It is currently accepting monetary donations and items, including: non-perishable food, toiletries, welcome pack items, technological items, board games, coloring books and pens, cleaning toys, adult backpacks, blankets and youth books.

Support the health, safety and ambition of women and girls in London’s minority communities. The organization is currently raising funds and accepting donations to coordinate the purchase of necessities for Afghan refugees.

According to reports, the councils of Camden, Ealing, Hackney, Hammersmith and Fulham, Kingston, Lambeth and Lewisham are all seeking help for refugees in London. The system will ask you if you can provide housing, foster care, or donation.

The government’s community sponsorship program allows a group of friends and neighbors, charities and faith groups to support refugee families as they restart their new lives in the UK.

Read more on the government website here.

The NGO connects people with free rooms in their homes with refugees and asylum seekers: since 2016, it has taken in approximately 250,000 people, but the number of people has dropped sharply during the pandemic. According to the staff, it currently only receives 40 guests and none of them are from Afghanistan.

Co-founder Sara Nathan said: “We are not saying that this is a permanent solution to the housing crisis, but it is much better than staying in a hotel after isolation-it is much more comfortable and more harmonious.” “The host often talks to guests. After eating together, they soon learned a lot about life in Britain.”

The Glasgow-based network is currently accepting applications from people who own a second home or vacant room in London, Manchester, Bristol, Birmingham and Glasgow-it expects these cities to be the most popular with refugees and asylum seekers.

Last month, it has received 2,000 applications from potential hosts.

Due to war or persecution, more than 29 million people worldwide have been forced to leave their homes and countries. Community sponsorship gives you the opportunity to welcome refugee families into your community and support them when they restart their lives in the UK.

Online petition, such as this Change.org appeal If you are unable to donate, asking the government to speed up the development of an asylum plan for Afghan women and girls is a quick way to express your support.

By writing to local councillors or contacting them on social media, asking for action or simply registering for support.

Afghan refugees are resettled across the country, and a key issue for many people is how they will integrate into the culture. If you live in an area that receives refugees, establishing a network or community support group may be a great way to welcome them.

Don’t forget the children: Many charities have restrictions on the age of volunteers over 18 years old-many refugee parents worry about how their children will make friends and learn cultural values. This is a problem.

To provide more information on how to help, please email katie.strick@standard.co.uk