International Refugee Assistance Project’s Post

Today, on World Refugee Day, we come together to recognize and celebrate the strength, courage, and resilience of refugees and people seeking asylum around the globe. This year’s theme, 'Solidarity with Refugees', emphasizes the importance of creating a world where refugees are welcomed. Ways to Get Involved in Australia From anywhere in Australia, you can be a force for positive change by participating in activities and initiatives aimed at raising funds and awareness for refugees. Here are some ways you can contribute: 1. Fundraising: - Organize or participate in community events such as fun runs, bake sales, or concerts to raise money. 2. Donations: - Make direct donations to organizations that support refugees, such as the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC), Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA), and others. - Donate goods such as clothing, non-perishable food items, and other essentials to local shelters and support centers. 3. Volunteering: - Offer your time and skills to local refugee support organizations. 4. Advocacy: - Participate in advocacy campaigns - Use your voice on social media to spread awareness Supporting the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) The funds raised play a crucial role in supporting the ASRC, which provides: - Food and Shelter: Ensuring that refugees have access to basic necessities. - Healthcare: Offering medical services to those in need. - Legal Aid: Assisting refugees with navigating legal processes and securing their rights. - Essential Services: Providing education, employment support, and community programs. To help support the ASRC, follow the link here https://lnkd.in/gZmZG9AH... https://lnkd.in/g2QSbynU

Food for thought! An important conversation is taking shape around the role of refugees in decision-making processes that impact their lives. While there's been global advocacy for meaningful refugee participation, the reality often falls short. Key barriers include tokenistic involvement and power dynamics that prioritize organizational growth over genuine community impact. The article calls for change—a shift toward supporting refugee-led initiatives and rethinking how we, as humanitarians, approach allyship and inclusion. This is a must-read piece for anyone working in the sector 👇 https://lnkd.in/exQ-m2iZ #RefugeeLeadership #HumanitarianAid #Inclusion #Refugees

Today, on World Refugee Day, take a chance to join refugees and people seeking asylum and celebrate and acknowledge their strength and resilience.From anywhere in Australia, be a force for change by helping The ASRC raise funds to provide food, shelter, healthcare, legal aid and other essential services for people seeking asylum. The funds raised also help power the advocacy work the ASRC does to influence systemic and policy change Today, on World Refugee Day, take a chance to join refugees and people seeking asylum and celebrate and acknowledge their strength and resilience.The funds raised also help power the advocacy work the ASRC does to influence systemic and policy change for refugees.  https://lnkd.in/gp_EyRzj

🚨 The Bristol Refugee Rights Welcome Centre is at Risk of Closure – We Need Your Help! 🚨 For over a decade, Bristol Refugee Rights has been a vital source of support for asylum seekers and refugees in our city. We provide essential advice, advocacy, and a safe community for those who need it the most. However, due to recent cuts in funding, we are facing the real possibility of having to reduce our services – right when they are needed more than ever. Many of our clients rely on us for guidance on their asylum cases, support with housing and welfare, and help navigating the complex legal landscape. Without your support, many vulnerable people could be left without the assistance they desperately need. The Welcome Centre has been a lifeline for countless refugees and asylum seekers arriving in Bristol, offering vital support, advice, and a safe space to rebuild their lives. But the tough funding climate has left us struggling, and we haven’t raised the funds needed to keep all of our services open. One of our member shared their story: “I arrived in the UK alone in October 2022. With no money or anyone to turn to, I felt trapped, like I was still in an open prison. I couldn’t work or study for six months. Then, I found a beacon of hope in BRR. They trained me as an asylum guide and empowered me. This experience transformed my life – my English improved, I found a community, and after receiving refugee status, BRR helped me apply for a paid job. Today, I’m confident, with a network of friends and colleagues. I can support myself and my family. BRR gave me a life-changing opportunity.” We are 80% of the way to our crowdfunding target, with just 8 days left! Please share this appeal within your networks and help us keep the Welcome Centre open for people like this. Every bit helps: • £100 funds food, board games, and haircuts for 20 asylum seekers at our drop-in. • £50 provides a session on hate crime, reaching 20 asylum seekers. • £20 covers meals for two families. Please donate and share today. #SupportRefugees #Crowdfunding #BristolRefugeeRights #AsylumSupport #CommunityCare #MakeADifference

50,000 child refugees have been wiped off the radar !!! A harrowing tragedy is unfolding before our eyes in the heart of Europe. Thousands of innocent children, fleeing conflict and devastation, have vanished without a trace on our continent. 50,000 child refugees - vulnerable souls seeking safety - have been wiped off the radar. Their fate remains a heart-wrenching mystery. Some have moved on without telling anyone, but many are believed to have fallen victim to the most brutal exploitation: human trafficking, forced prostitution, and criminal exploitation. The idea that such young, fragile lives are being abused and sacrificed for sordid profits is soul-shattering. The Netherlands, once a beacon of human rights, has seen 360 unaccompanied minors disappear in 2023 - almost 10% of all children traveling alone. Ter Apel, that registration center that should have symbolized hope, has proved to be a sieve through which vulnerable children easily slip through the cracks. We are collectively failing as humanity. While we pay lip service to human rights, we are abandoning these children. Their suffering remains a blind spot on the world's retina. Their silent screaming voices remain unheard. That is why this is a desperate cry for action. Implement the recommendations to ensure the safety of these children. Expand regular accommodation so that less emergency shelter is needed. Register every child meticulously. Adapt living conditions to their safety. Continuously monitor their wellbeing. This can no longer be ignored. The moral conscience of the world is at stake. Let us make this tragedy a turning point, a call for fundamental humanity. We cannot stand by as the most vulnerable among us are sacrificed. Save these children now, before more innocence is lost. Human rights are inalienable and apply to everyone, regardless of nationality, residence, citizenship or other status. The right to equal treatment and non-discrimination on the basis of race or ethnicity is enshrined in all major human rights treaties.   Sradhanand Sital Chairman GHRD

Refugee Assist proudly supports the Welcoming Refugees 2025 Initiative—a global movement dedicated to creating more inclusive, supportive communities for refugees around the world. This initiative focuses on fostering stronger partnerships between governments, nonprofits, and local organizations to ensure refugees receive the resources, rights, and respect they need to successfully resettle and thrive. A key part of this initiative is a letter to President Biden, urging the administration to prioritize refugee resettlement and increase the number of refugees the U.S. accepts by 2025. By signing this letter, we can collectively send a strong message that refugee rights are human rights, and that our country must continue to be a beacon of hope for those fleeing persecution and violence. We at Refugee Assist, encourage everyone to sign the letter and get involved. Whether through advocacy, donations, or volunteer efforts, your support helps create a world where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. #RefugeeAssist #WelcomingRefugees2025 #RefugeeSupport #InclusiveCommunities #AIForGood #SignTheLetter https://lnkd.in/esDzxqdU

🌍 In recent years, the portrayal of refugees in media and art has often been limited to images of suffering and victimhood. While these narratives highlight the dire circumstances refugees face, they can also reinforce stereotypes and strip individuals of their agency. Our recent collaboration with Asylum Access is focused on shifting these narratives through purposeful and empowering illustrations. 🎨 The illustrations created for Asylum Access’s position paper on building equitable partnerships and the accountability toolkit were designed with the intention of depicting refugees not just as victims but as leaders and change-makers, inspiring hope and optimism in our collective future. 🤝 The cover page of the position paper features an illustration of individuals from diverse backgrounds working together to connect various segments of pathways, symbolizing the collaborative effort required to build equitable partnerships. This depiction underscores the value of each contributor and the integral role they play in creating inclusive and supportive environments. Equitable partnerships between international organisations, philanthropists, non-profits, grassroots organisations led by refugees, and host countries are crucial for safeguarding refugee rights. 🔗 The toolkit's cover page features an illustration of groups working within a framework held by supportive hands, representing the interconnectedness necessary for successful partnerships. These images show refugees leading discussions and making decisions, challenging traditional victim narratives and emphasizing their capacity for driving change. 🌈 The vibrant colours and supportive hands suggest optimism and the dynamic nature of collaborative efforts. By supporting refugee-led organisations, these partnerships help rebuild lives with dignity and equity, fostering stronger communities. 🛠️ Transforming the narrative from victimhood to leadership involves changing mindsets. By highlighting refugees' strengths and contributions, we aim to inspire a more inclusive dialogue around displacement and promote a more equitable and just world. - #RefugeeRights #SocialImpact #EquitablePartnerships #RefugeeLeadership #HumanRights #ArtForSocialJustice #ArtActivism

Last week Ira Sjölund and I represented Help in Change at the Migration and Refugee Forum with Migration Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard It was an opportunity to discuss together with Amnesty International Swedish Red Cross ECPAT Sverige UNICEF Caritas Skill Shift Initiative Rädda Barnen - Save the Children Sweden Nordic Ukraine Forum RFSL Svenska kyrkan UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency about the main challenges Sweden faces in migration. It's a moment of change, and we have to take it in the right direction. Or at least as much as we can influence it to be the better choice. Our partners highlighted the risk of violating of children rights, risk if increased criminality due to insufficient integration support, and inequality of rights for all asylum seekers. As most of you may already know, there's a proposed law change on the status of Ukrainians that will soon be implemented and now is the right time to read it and give your opinion. You can find more information here https://lnkd.in/dAfqEa3p 💬Prior to this forum, we discussed with Ukrainians the main concerns about this bill. During the forum we had the opportunity to share these concerns with all participants and the Minister, so here they are: 💧 the special regulation and exclusion from the main asylum procedure, requiring additional state resources (time and money) and potentially increasing errors in case handling 💧 unreasonable inequality in the treatment of refugees. Why? 💧 negative impact on vulnerable groups of Ukrainians, such as youngsters (18-20 years), seniors (66+) and large families, 💧access to student grants (CSN) and dental care is still unclear and causes frustration 💧the transition process for Ukrainians after the end of the Temporary Directive is also unclear. This is so inspiring 💫 to see how government collaborate with social organizations like Help in Change is f.ex. Honestly, in my tough personal background I never saw this. Reflecting on the past years, I see that the willingness to listen, ability to step out of your box - is the golden rule of the right direction to be taken. I believe the new migration law changes will serve for the best of al involved parties. Special thanks to my colleague Anna Z. for your advocacy work. You’ve been really missed in this Forum. #helpinchange #migration #sweden #integration #refugees

Empowering Asylum Seekers and Refugees: DLA Piper's Know Your Rights (KYR) Program   Know Your Rights (KYR), a legal education program designed to make a positive impact in the lives of asylum seekers and refugees. 🌍🤝It is a comprehensive program that provides legal courses on various topics, equipping individuals with essential legal knowledge and essential soft skills. Our goal is to empower asylum seekers and refugees, enabling them to navigate their legal rights.   Yesterday, our dedicated Corporate team led by Hélène Carbonnelle and Robin Olivier Karpiel, had the privilege of delivering a presentation on non-profit associations to refugees. They covered essential topics, including the establishment and the structure of a non-profit association, as well as explanations about the requirements and liabilities.   Participants in the session included refugees and asylum seekers residing in Belgium, many of them associated with the Refugee Committees. These committees, with the support of our global partner UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, enabled us to hold this session successfully! #DLAPiper #KnowYourRights #Empowerment #AsylumSeekers #Refugees #LegalEducation #SocialResponsibility 

Thrilling updates await regarding our humanitarian efforts in Bidi Bidi! Dive into the link below to discover our groundbreaking initiative: @"Building Resilience and Protection of Refugee Children." https://lnkd.in/daZAjcAC