How can you support Afghanistan refugees?

Afghan evacuees in Southampton – calling on private landlords

As you may know, we’ve been working closely with local partners, landlords and the voluntary sector, as well as national government, to provide support for people evacuated from Afghanistan.

The government is asking UK local authorities to help evacuees – many of whom have been working for the British Armed Forces – to resettle in the UK. So, we’re now looking for homes in which families can be housed and start to build a new life in Southampton.

Earlier this week, Councillor Daniel Fitzhenry, Leader of Southampton City Council, made a call to private landlords in the city who may have affordable three or four-bedroom family homes available to rent, and would like to help, to get in touch. Councillor Fitzhenry said: “I’d now like to see if we can make a lasting difference by providing homes for families who had to flee their country after helping ours.”
We’ve set up a special email address for interested landlords to contact us: afghan.housing@southampton.gov.uk

And for any members of the public who would like to show their support, cash donations (rather than clothes or other items) are being accepted via the City Life Church Southampton and Southampton Action JustGiving pages.

Practical suggestions for how you can help…
Bridget Chapman
With the current events unfolding in Afghanistan many people are asking how they can help. Here are some things you should think about if you want to offer support to recent arrivals and the organisations that work with them.
More information here

Charities launch emergency appeals
Several charities have launched emergency appeals for Afghanistan after Taliban militants took control of the country.
More information here

Are you involved?

Action Hampshire is the Voluntary Community Sector Emergency Partnership (VCSEP) liaison lead for Hampshire. We contribute to discussions so that the experiences of local VCSE organisations are fed into national coordination efforts.

If your organisation is supporting/has been asked to support with refugee arrivals/resettlement, please let us know by contacting leah.campbell@actionhampshire.org

Other things you can do…

Support efforts to help newly arriving refugees

In Hampshire:
Efforts are underway to set up a collection point in each Hampshire district to receive donated items. Community First is leading on this in coordination with the Council and will put out further communication shortly about what is required, where you can drop it off and when.

Only specific items will be needed, and these need to be new/good quality second hand. Volunteers will be needed to help sort/organise donations.

The following is a list of items that we urgently require please:

• Nappies – all sizes
• Coats in all sizes – adults and children
• Warm clothing for boys and girls from 10 years upwards
• New underwear for all – including socks and bras
• Blankets
• Adult shoes (no sandals please)
• Mobile phone chargers, power packs and top up vouchers/cards
• New or refurbished laptops – to help families keep in touch with loved ones

For more information about how and where to donate the above items please visit Community First’s website here

In Southampton:
Southampton Action are collecting needed items. The situation is changing rapidly – a couple of days ago they requested prams/pushchairs and this need is now fully met. They are now looking for smartphones. Follow their social media for the latest info on what is needed and how you can help here

Register to host refugees/asylum seekers
Register here

Look at these ideas from Refugee Action
Visit here

Support organisations in Hampshire who support refugees & asylum seekers
It is not yet clear how many refugees/asylum seekers from Afghanistan will stay in Hampshire long-term, but these organisations already support existing refugees and asylum seekers and will continue to do so:

• British Red Cross
• CLEAR project, Southampton
• Friends Without Borders Portsmouth
• Southampton and Winchester Visitors Group
• Rural Refugee Network
• Portsmouth City of Sanctuary
• Southampton City of Sanctuary
• Winchester City of Sanctuary

If you know of other organisations, please share them with us – leah.campbell@actionhampshire.org

Where can you donate to?

Care4Calais has various drop-off points across Hampshire for donations
Visit website

Southampton Action are organising various supports. They have put out a request for smartphones.
Email information@southamptonaction.org for more information

Image: IFRC, Meer Abdullar/ACRS