The crisis in Afghanistan has shocked us all, and it is now critical that we do what we can to help those in need, writes European Movement UK CEO Anna Bird.
The crisis in Afghanistan has shocked us all, and it is now critical that we do what we can to help those in need.
Images of people being evacuated from Kabul have been plastered across our screens. And the events of the past two days, including the horrific bombing at Kabul international airport, show just how dangerous and volatile the situation is.
The UK must offer a safe haven for those fleeing this mounting crisis.
Priti Patel’s current border policy makes this impossible.
After Brexit, Priti Patel pulled the UK out of the Dublin Regulation – an international agreement that commits countries to re-settle their fair share of refugees and asylum seekers. That means that children seeking safety have lost the right to be reunited with their families in the UK.
We owe it to the youngest, most vulnerable refugees to do all we can. The UK government must change course and reunite refugee families.
Long after the news cameras stop rolling, people will be seeking refuge and children will be among them.
Now is not the time to shut our doors, but to lead by example and offer shelter and support whenever it is needed. There is so much you can do to support the charities offering frontline support to asylum seekers and refugees, such as those helping to find homes for them in the UK.
One small thing you can do right now is sign our petition, demanding that the government re-enter the Dublin Regulations and reunite refugee families. If you would like to sign our petition, please click here and do so today.