UK Proud to Protect Young Refugees, Says Red Cross Report
New research published today shows two thirds of people living in
Britain are proud the UK provides a safe haven for refugee children
fleeing persecution, but there remains widespread confusion about the
issue of asylum, with many people grossly exaggerating the numbers of
asylum seekers residing in the UK.
London UK (PRWEB) -- New research published today shows two thirds of
people living in Britain are proud the UK provides a safe haven for
refugee children fleeing persecution, but there remains widespread
confusion about the issue of asylum, with many people grossly
exaggerating the numbers of asylum seekers residing in the UK.
The research revealed 18 per cent of respondents believed the UK
hosts more than half of the world's asylum seekers - in fact the figure
is less than 3 per cent of the 9.9 million refugees in the world (about
302,000 people), according to UNHCR statistics.
The ICM poll was commissioned by the British Red Cross to explore
people's perceptions of refugees and asylum seekers in the run-up to
Refugee Week 2008, which this year takes places from the 16-22 June.
In 2006, 3,245 unaccompanied asylum-seeking children aged 17 or under
claimed asylum in the UK, with the majority of them coming from
Afghanistan (30%), Iran (10%), Eritrea (10%) and Somalia (8%). Reasons
included the death of their parents, detention and torture, forced
recruitment as child soldiers, persecution due to ethnic group, or the
political activities of their family.
The Red Cross supports refugees and unaccompanied asylum seeking
children to adjust to life in this country, make friends and access
essential services such as health care and education. The Red Cross can
even put young people back in touch with lost family members through
its international tracing and message service.
Charles (17), originally from Cameroon, sought refuge in the UK just
over a year ago. He said: "My mum and dad were both killed because of
their involvement in politics. I went to live with my uncle, but our
lawyer told me it was no longer safe to stay". Alone in Manchester, he
found out about a Red Cross peer education project, which helped him
make friends and provided training in peer befriending and first aid.
Charles now teaches first aid to other young people and is studying law
at City College Manchester.
To mark Refugee Week 2008, the British Red Cross is launching a
UK-wide social networking campaign supported by actor Dougray Scott.
The campaign will give young refugees and asylum seekers like Charles a
platform to tell their story through video diaries, which will be
showcased through sites such as Facebook, Bebo and YouTube, as well as
the British Red Cross Refugee Week website.
Dougray explains: "Young people - including children who may have
arrived in Britain alone and without their family - can be particularly
vulnerable. Some have experienced violence and trauma and need extra
support. The Red Cross helps them access essential services and find
their way around."
British Red Cross staff and volunteers throughout the UK will be taking
part in Refugee Week by holding events and activities, from comedy
nights to workshops in schools.
Nick-Scott Flynn, head of British Red Cross refugee services, said:
"The Red Cross Movement protects people fleeing conflict throughout the
world and that includes those who arrive in the UK. Refugees make an
enormous contribution to the UK, socially, culturally and economically,
and Refugee Week is a chance to celebrate that fact."
Notes to editors
The research results show many people significantly overestimate the
number of refugees and asylum seekers in the UK. Only 11% of those
surveyed got the correct figure of 3%, whilst 18% of people asked
thought the UK was home to over 50% of the world's population of asylum
seekers. Despite this, two thirds of people in the UK (66%) say they
are proud that the UK provides a safe haven for young refugees fleeing
persecution.
ICM interviewed a random sample of 2,068 adults aged 18+ by
telephone between 21st -25th May 2008. Surveys were conducted across
the country and the results have been weighted to the profile of all
adults. ICM is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by
its rules. Further information at the ICM website.
Refugee Week is a UK-wide programme of arts, cultural and educational
events to celebrate the positive contribution refugees make to the UK
and encourage a better understanding between communities. This year, it
takes place between 16 - 22 June.
The Red Cross believes that young refugees and unaccompanied asylum
seeking children should be treated as children first and migrants
second, and therefore deserve the same respect, consideration and
rights as all other young people.
The video diaries are by young refugees and unaccompanied asylum
seeking children aged 16-24 from Somalia, Uganda, Democratic Republic
of Congo, Iran, Ivory Coast and Cameroon and can be viewed at the British Red Cross Refugee Week website
The British Red Cross helps people in crisis, whoever and wherever they
are. We are part of a global voluntary network, responding to
conflicts, natural disasters and individual emergencies. We enable
vulnerable people in the UK and abroad to prepare for and withstand
emergencies in their own communities. And when the crisis is over, we
help them to recover and move on with their lives.
Case studies and photos are available, and interviews can be arranged on request.
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