Refugees - where now?

So there we are then, it's now alright. It has been decided that we accept 4,000 a year for the next 5 years. Now that will make a HUGE difference to the numbers trying to leave a war torn area. Still I suppose we should be grateful for small mercies and say - 'nice start - now let's do it properly'.

I have been asked what people can do NOW. The honest answer is - if you are not in an area where Refugees are already being housed - not a lot, physically.But there are other options

The charities working with the refugees are always seeking support so ...

Refugee Charities

To make donations there are many national and some local charities involved.

Refugee Action http://www.refugee-action.org.uk/

Refugee Council: A donation of £100 could pay for the education and travel for two children for a week http://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/

UNICEF The UN’s children’s charity is providing life-saving supplies such as clean water, medicine and psychological support. It says a donation of £9 could provide an emergency water kit for a family. http://www.unicef.org.uk/

Migrant Offshore Aid Station: The charity which runs independent rescue boats to rescue migrants at risk of drowning http://www.moas.eu/

Médecins Sans Frontières: The humanitarian agency has three rescue ships in the Mediterranean, http://www.msf.org.uk/

Save the Children: It says a donation of £50 could buy two hygiene kits including soap, towels and toothbrushes https://secure.savethechildren.org.uk/donate/

British Red Cross: A donation of £30 could buy 28 mats to help Syria refugees cope with the cold. http://www.redcross.org.uk/syriacrisis/

Islamic Relief: Three families could be fed for a month on a donation of £210, the charity says. http://www.islamic-relief.org.uk/current-appeals/syria-appeal/

The crowdfunding website Just Giving has a list of specific appeals for migrants in Calais. It includes one of students trying to raise £750 to buy mobile phones, footballs, camping equipment, dictionaries, storage boxes, sanitary items and waterproof clothing.

The UNHCR is running camps, providing shelter and aid to refugees in Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon, as well as helping refugees across Europe.

British Red Cross are running a drop in at St. Cuthbert’s Fulwood if you want the donation to be local

In addition there are a number of other local initiatives – usually revolving around Calais.

Lancaster Supports Refugees https://www.facebook.com/LancasterRefugeeSolidarity

Helping Hands for Calais Refugees https://www.facebook.com/helpinghandsforcalaisrefugees?fref=ts

Blackpool Fylde Preston Supporting Calais Refugees https://www.facebook.com/groups/supportingrefugees/

Calais Action – Blackpool Preston Fylde https://www.facebook.com/events/1489962354656532/

Pendle2Calais https://m.facebook.com/pages/Pendle2calais/673011176167701

Parts of Lancashire has suffered from a lack of safe drinking water and will be in receipt of compensation from United Utilities - one suggestion is that the compensation could be passed on to a suitable charity to help the plight of those who have no homes, with or without water.

The response we offer should hold to our Christian values; seeking to be generous with the love we give in the way the God was generous with his love for us in the life of his Son, Jesus Christ.