As we launch the Guardian and Observer’s 2023 charity appeal, we are in the middle of a winter crisis of destitution among refugees on the streets of the UK and a passionate debate over the strength of Britain’s commitment to providing refuge to people fleeing war and persecution.
The principle of offering protection to refugees, and supporting them to rebuild their lives in safety, drives the fantastic work of our three appeal charities. We believe it is also a sign of a civilised society. As the author Gillian Slovo said on the 70th anniversary of the UN refugee convention two years ago: “It’s what makes us human, the fact that we recognise suffering in other human beings and we do what we can to alleviate it.”
Unfortunately, so much of what passes for asylum policy today is warped by hostility. The UK government has explicitly sought to make the asylum seeker experience as wretched and unwelcoming as possible, and has openly questioned Britain’s commitment to the UN refugee convention.
It is no accident asylum seekers and refugees were among the 1.8m UK households experiencing destitution last year. Official support for asylum seekers (an allowance of less than £7 per person per day) is meagre, and they are not allowed to work. Our appeal begins as thousands of refugees are being made homeless as a result of Home Office policy, kicked out of hotels on to the freezing winter streets with as little as seven days’ notice. Many will rely on our three 2023 appeal charities for urgent help and support.
Asylum is an area of UK policy and politics rife with misinformation and divisive rhetoric, from “small boats” to the Rwanda deportation scheme, to immigration targets. The dog whistle xenophobia of some politicians, and their dismissal of human rights campaigners as “woke” holders of “luxury beliefs” is enraging, as is the caricature of refugee charities as fake humanitarians.
More than ever, our 2023 appeal seeks to highlight the values of kindness, respect, tolerance and compassion, all of which underpin the missions of our partner charities, alongside their commitment to social justice and human rights. Their work and the hope that sustains it is about healing divisions and finding common cause. It is a reminder of what makes us human.
The first of our charity partners is Refugee Councils of Britain – comprising the separate British, Scottish and Welsh refugee councils. They campaign to challenge hostile and cruel government asylum policies, and run projects to help refugees recover from trauma, rebuild their lives in the UK and give back to society.
Second, is Refugees at Home, the UK’s biggest hosting charity, which connects its network of generous volunteer “hosts” who have a spare bedroom with hundreds of refugee and asylum seeker “guests” desperate for somewhere to stay. Its work is a practical and effective way of providing stability and safety to vulnerable people.
Finally, Naccom’s 130 member charities are at the frontline of support for destitute refugees and asylum seekers across the UK, providing food and clothing, shelter, legal advice and wellbeing services. Naccom will regrant the bulk of its share of appeal donations to grassroots members to help them maintain and enhance their vital work.
Our inspiring 2023 charity partners will be featured in the Guardian and Observer over the next few weeks. Look out also for our ever-popular appeal telethon on Saturday 16 December, when some of our great journalists will be on hand to take your calls and donations. In addition, 20p from every order from the Guardian Bookshop (between Friday 8 December and Wednesday 10 January) will go to the appeal.
Since 2015, the Guardian and Observer reader appeals have raised an amazing £12m for good causes. We hope we can inspire you once again to giving generously.
