Helping new arrivals as the weather worsens
Last night, in my home on the south coast of England, I listened to the sounds of the search and rescue helicopter circling overhead. As I looked out into the darkness, I couldn’t help but think of the men, women and children that could be out in the sea, exhausted and terrified in tiny boats, a short distance away. It was an utterly helpless feeling. As autumn has drawn in sea conditions have become worse, and the risks greater. September was a very busy month for our ERT, and October is proving to be just as busy. Last week …
The journey is hard, but we’re there for them
Yesterday 116 refugees in three three boats came ashore at Dungeness. We understand that that everyone on the first two boats was from Syria, and the people in the the third were from Kurdistan and Afghanistan. There were a lot of women and children on the first two boats, including some children who were unaccompanied. Many people looked cold and exhausted, and some were upset and confused – some much that it tore at your heart to see them. There was one family with a small boy and a lady who was just crying uncontrollably. She was obviously in shock, …
The Russian protests show why we should welcome refugees
In the last 24 hours millions of us have been moved by the incredibly bravery of Russian people taking to the streets to protest against Putin’s war on Ukraine. These are people who have publicly stood up for other people, and for what’s right, knowing that they may well be punished and persecuted. People who put justice and other human beings’ welfare before their own. Of course when the corrupt, violent and authoritarian regimes they live under will not tolerate their bravery, compassion and willingness to speak truth, those regimes will try to silence them by any means necessary. …
