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Hamed(30) from Darfur endured years of destitution because he did not have adequate legal representation. 

“I had a solicitor but I saw him only once. He said he would tell the court he couldn’t attend the hearing and to postpone it, but the judge said he didn’t know about it. Three weeks later I had a letter saying I was refused asylum. It said I could go back to Khartoum because it was safe there... I thought as soon as I arrived I would be killed.”

Even though he was unable to walk due to poor health, Hamed was forced out of a hostel into the pouring rain. He crawled to the nearby town hall and slept on cardboard boxes. This was his home for a week.

“I ate some bread and water I had bought with my last few pounds. I think that if an asylum system is like the one I have experienced, where is the mercy and where are the human rights? When people run away from their country, they run in search of safety.”

Refugee Action offers practical support to people like Hamed – we provide money for food and toiletries, pay for travel for them to see their solicitor and help find shelter for the most vulnerable people.

 

We are also campaigning for a more fair and humane asylum system and are proposing workable alternatives to destitution, such as our Fresh Start Project in Leicester.

 

The pilot project will be helping long-term destitute people to access accommodation for up to six months and have regular meals. This will give people a chance to think through their options – whether it’s submitting a fresh asylum claim with new evidence or returning to another part of their country where they may feel safe.

 

Your help is vital

With your support we can ensure that destitute people have at least the basic necessities until their situation is resolved.

£15 will buy toothpaste, soap and sanitary products for three destitute people

 

£30 will buy a rare warm meal for six people

 

£50 will pay for shelter for someone suffering from poor health

 

Donate online or call us on 020 7654 7705 – whatever you can give will help destitute people who have no one to turn to.

Send an email to ask your MP to contact the Home Secretary about giving support to destitute asylum seekers.

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