Refugee Week

June 17, 2018

As we start Refugee Week it is very clear that the needs of refugees remain as strong as ever. The requirement for protection as palpable as it’s ever been. The image of the Aquarius off the coast of Italy, refused entry and the relief when those aboard were made welcome in Spain, are amongst the very real political tussles that affect some of the most at risk people in the world.

Our emotions respond with distress to the thought of children ripped from their families in the USA and the threats of punishment for those who support refugees in Hungary. This, while Uganda makes provision for those entering the country, while Bangladesh is a safer option than Myanmar for the Rohingya people. While the majority of refugees in the world today continue to be supported by their poor neighbours.

For several years now I have aimed to produce a blog every day during Refugee Week and failed miserably, when the daily work requirements make it harder to find the time to make this possible. So this year I have invited those involved in the work of GARAS to write a Guest Blog, and I have been delighted by the response. The responses have been written by staff and volunteers and therapists all whom wanted to put something down in words of a personal reflection. Each one quite different, conveying different aspects of the work, the clients we meet and the wider response of community.

I hope you will take the time to read them and to appreciate them, and maybe to share them further afield to help raise a little more awareness of every day responses to every day people.

Adele