How do we respond to a humanitarian crisis?

[marian farrell]

 

In the past year, 3,573 people have died attempting to reach Italy, Greece and Spain by sea. That is an average of ten people a day. This is both a humanitarian crisis and a crisis of humanity.

Here are some actions we can take locally. 

Email your MP

On 14 September 2015, EU ministers will hold emergency talks on the refugee crisis.

If we can get enough MPs voicing their support in the run-up to the meeting, there’s a chance the UK government will adopt the fundamentally more effective and humane policy on refugees that is required.

Your local MP is there to represent you and your opinions at government-level. It’s vital that they know you care and want to support people fleeing conflict and persecution.

Take action now through this Amnesty International campaign. 

email your mp

Tell the UK Government that ordinary people welcome refugees

It looks like parliament will debate how many refugees to welcome when it reconvenes on Monday 7th Sept. Sign this petition to 'accept more asylum seekers and increase support for refugee migrants in the UK'. 

UK parliament petition

The campaign group 38 Degrees have invited people in the UK to start petitions in their own council areas showing local levels of support and welcome for people fleeing their homes. Sign here if you live in the Derry City and Strabane District.

refugees welcome in Derry and Strabane 

There are also petitions for other parts of Northern Ireland.

Help collect and transport essential items to the people stranded in Calais

This local group was created to support the Cork-Calais convoy.

Derry Calais Refugee Solidarity

Demand that the Taoiseach recall the Dail

The Dáil is currently on summer recess, and is not due to sit again until September 21st. It is essential that the Dáil reconvenes before the September 14th EU emergency meeting and that the Taoiseach publicly outlines a firm plan of action on how Ireland will respond to this unprecedented crisis.

Sign this Trocaire petition to recall the Dail