£5k needed to help refugees in Devon
Refugee Support Devon is looking to provide emergency and long-term support
Refugee Support Devon is trying to raise £5,000 to 'provide critical support to people who are seeking asylum in the UK and have made Devon their home'.
The appeal runs until June 22nd, with funds going directly towards providing emergency and long-term support to refugees and people seeking safety in Devon.
A spokesperson added: "This includes costs of clothes, food, sim cards, emergency accommodation and bus tickets to access our regular drop in support session in the centre of Exeter.
"Since 2001, Refugee Support Devon has been a lifeline for thousands of asylum seekers and refugees, offering essential services such as emergency aid and advice through weekly drop in support sessions. This campaign highlights the urgent need for resources to sustain and expand these services.
"Refugee Support Devon are hosting several community events in Exeter during the week including a film screening at Exeter Phoenix and a Community Dinner at St Sidwell's Community Centre."
Helen Hartstein, Refugee Support Devon, Chair of Trustees, said: “Imagine fleeing your home, leaving everything behind, only to arrive in a foreign place where the language, culture, and support systems feel out of reach. Through this appeal, we want to raise vital funds to continue to directly support people who’ve risked everything to seek safety.
"Our emergency fund and frontline support services are vital to people in crisis right now in Devon. We are a small local charity; but often one of the only sources of support and with rising anti-migrant rhetoric in the UK at the moment, Refugee Support Devon is needed now more than ever."
Adnan, a Refugee Support Devon client said: “Refugee Support Devon was extremely helpful and gave us all the essentials such as clothes, shoes, bus tickets and SIM cards. They have been with us at each and every step of our journey in Devon so far.
"Refugee Support Devon are doing very important work in supporting refugees in Devon. They don’t just help us with essentials, but they go beyond and think about what will help our mental well-being as well. I am very thankful for that.”