A Glasgow-based charity serving asylum seekers and refugees is calling for donations to provide crisis support for families in need this Christmas.
Positive Action in Housing’s (PAIH) winter surgery aims to assist up to 300 families and individuals seeking asylum who have no money or access to public funds, including the sick, elderly or those with additional disabilities.
The organisation is calling for both financial or food donations as well as any other useful items including those to help with personal hygiene.
WATCH: The people who gave their spare rooms to Scotland’s asylum seekers
PAIH said: “This support is designed to give hope and a little relief from the hardship and poverty that almost all refugees are forced to endure.
“Hundreds of people from refugee and asylum-seeking backgrounds continue to be accommodated in hotels for months on end with no money at all, unable to buy sanitary protection, toiletries or even snacks.
“Still others were placed in dirty accommodation without food, money or Wi-fi access, while others were forced to share with people with their own mental health trauma.
“Yet others need help to resurrect their asylum cases in order to secure the right to remain and begin to rebuild their lives.”
Current immigration policies in the UK mean that asylum seekers are not allowed to work, drive or study until their claims have been granted or rejected.
They must survive on £37.75 a week which is loaded onto special spending ‘ASPEN’ cards.
If their claims are rejected, this money and their accommodation rights will cease. Yet, still unable to work and now without any rights within the UK, this leads many asylum seekers to end up in destitution.
PAIH continued: “Throughout Winter, Positive Action in Housing’s staff and volunteers will be working to ensure that people get specialist proactive advice, advocacy, signposting and practical support from our frontline homelessness caseworkers to enable people to resolve their legal, housing or financial crisis.
“We will also be working to provide safe shelter, with the essential needs of food, warmth, sanitation and cleanliness met through our community hosting programme Room for Refugees and our Emergency Relief Fund.”
“Your donation will support those who have fled war and persecution in their own countries, risking their lives on dangerous journeys, to find sanctuary here, leaving loved ones, friends and all that they know.
“Whatever you give, no matter how modest, is greatly appreciated. Regular monthly donations are especially welcome as we can plan the support we give,” they added.
To donate food, money or hygiene products and to find out more about Positive Action in Housing, click here.
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