The refugee crisis: official MNHQ thread to discuss next steps for a campaign

[RowanMumsnet]

Hello

Following on from previous threads (here and here), we've spent a couple of days looking in to this. As you can imagine, lots of the organisations working on this are extremely busy at the moment so it's taken us a little while to pin down some relevant info - sorry for the delay.

On search and rescue in the Med: the UK government now contributes what several organisations say is a pretty sizeable package of resources to the EU's Mediterranean search and rescue effort. One organisation told us that 'the UK has totally stepped up; we now have more resources in the water than any other EU country'. The thinking seems to be that given the size of the Med, and the desperately unsafe boats/dinghies that are being used, there is just no way to guarantee that people will not drown; the consensus seems to be that the best focus would be on providing safer routes to countries of refuge in the EU, and a better welcome for refugees once they're here.

That doesn't mean we can't focus on search and rescue if you still think we should. There are organisations like Medicins sans Frontieres and MOAS, who are using donations to run their own search and rescue missions, and we can give them a big push and help you to encourage more private donations to them. But it's worth noting that most organisations in the field seem to think that if there is an insufficiency in EU search and rescue, it's not because of the UK government.

There is also a current initiative by Save the Children that we could swing behind, and perhaps do some joint campaigning on. It's based on a five-point plan of action for EU governments, calling for the following:

• maintaining search and rescue, and making sure EU operations have adequate resources and the right mandate (ie that they concentrate on saving lives, not on border protection);
• providing safe and legal routes into Europe for refugees, with a particular emphasis on the rights and safety of children;
• providing proper reception and support for refugees in EU countries, including minimum standards for things like shelter, medical treatment, legal advice, and access to health and education facilities;
• an effective, balanced and mandatory relocation and resettlement agreement for refugees, involving all EU countries (eg mandatory quotas for numbers each country must take); and
• tackling the root causes of unsafe migration. This involves things like putting international pressure on the warring parties in Syria to end the conflict; supporting Syria's neighbouring countries (where most refugees from Syria are living, often in camps) by fully funding the Regional Refugee and Resilience plan (currently only 40% funded); and assisting the World Food Programme to re-start its food aid programme in Jordan, which was recently suspended due to lack of money.

Save the Children are also asking the UK government to commit to taking in 3000 unaccompanied child refugees, who sadly are already in Europe without any adult protection.

Let us know your thoughts working with Save the Children on these two things (the 5-point plan, and asking the UK government to commit to taking 3000 unaccompanied child refugees from within the EU). It seems like a comprehensive proposal to us, but of course ultimately it's up to you.

We've also got this page full of links to various actions you can take if you want to do something on an individual basis.

Thanks
MNHQ

I support backing the Save the Children campaign.

Save the Children are also asking the UK government to commit to taking in 3000 unaccompanied child refugees, who sadly are already in Europe without any adult protection.

Would be even more useful if the government wasn't commited to deporting refugee children when they reach 18...

But broadly the Save the Childrens aims seem pretty sensible.

I also think that supporting the 'Save the children' campaign makes sense.

Support Save the Children alignment

Supporting the Save the Children campaign seems appropriate.

Thanks for summing that up Rowan. That looks like an excellent plan and I'm completely in support of it.

Yes I support this, and seems more effective to align with Dave the Children.

I also support backing the Save the Children campaign

I too agree with the collaboration with Save The Children.

I too support backing the save the children plan.

I'm slightly concerned about committing to 3000 unaccompanied children - currently we have around 900 I think in the country who are under the care of local authorities. Care and support is pretty hit and miss, and there are few dedicated services to support them. They are very vulnerable and at considerable risk of abuse. I don't think taking a further 3000 would be suitable without a clear plan of how both central and local government will develop effective services to distribute and support these young people, and ensure that adequate resources are made available for this. If we can't ensure adequate services we should commit to a smaller number, but care for them appropriately.

We can take unaccompanied minors as long as local authorities have the funding to support them. The Government would need to hold back on some of its unnecessary, ideology driven 'austerity' and provide proper finance. I support MN getting behind the Save The Children campaign.

I too am in favour of MN supporting the Save the Children initiative.

Definitely support both of these actions

I support the alignment with Save the Children also. And thank you for the background info :)

I support MN supporting Save the Children supporting the refugees.

The services need to be developed though - at the moment many young people are simply placed in "supported housing" which in practice means there is little support. There is a shortage of foster carers. Many have to wait months for a school place. I'm not saying it can't / shouldn't be done at all (my work involved some contact with unaccompanied asylum seeking minors) but it will need strong commitment and real thought and planning which may take some time.

Support. C'mon MN!

The save the children campaign is great, and I support Mumnset getting behind it. However, it would also be great if mumsnet kept an objective view of whether Save the Children are achieving what they say they will, and be willing to challenge where appropriate.

I support MN supporting save the children.

Fully support the Save the Children plan. Thanks, MNHQ.

Let's do it!

I would support backing the save the children campaign

This is brilliant MNHQ.

I support it wholeheartedly.

The backing the Save the Children campaign bit especially.

Support- obvs!