No medicine, no money, no possessions – Kingston’s new asylum seekers
London, UK – Kingston has seen a six-fold increase from last month in the number of families seeking asylum. More than 50 individuals have arrived in the last two weeks alone, says Refugee Action Kingston (RAK), which offers support to refugees.
The treatment these new arrivals receive, and the help they are offered, leave much to be desired:
- Some are coming to the borough with virtually nothing after being prevented from taking their possessions by immigration officials. Many have lost medicine, spare clothing and personal devices. Sometimes items are seized and not returned
- New arrivals’ solicitors do not always respond to calls, leaving large numbers of asylum seekers with no guidance before being forced to relocate at short notice.
- Private contractors who oversee new arrivals in the UK are providing unsuitable food. In a location near Heathrow, during Ramadan, individuals employed by these contractors reportedly enforced a blanket fasting schedule on all new arrivals, despite the protests of those who were not observing.
- Many asylum seekers are in urgent need of hygiene supplies, mobile phones and financial support. Some clothing needs are currently being met.
“We were expecting an increase in new arrivals but nothing like what we are seeing. Many appear to have been abandoned. The sudden scale of need is staggering. We are taking steps to combat what we see as an emergency,” said RAK Director Isik Oguzertem.
RAK is looking to set up an emergency fund of £15,000, and is asking for public donations to provide direct assistance to over 600 individuals over the coming months.
“Recall the last time you faced a personal emergency. You probably received help from family, friends, or a local group. We need to offer that help to all members of our community, no matter how new.”
