We have seen such a swell of prayer and giving towards the refugee crisis. We want this to continue. Sometimes things hurt so much that it moves us to act. We want this compassion to compel us to act for the long term and not just the immediate. We know and trust that the Church is best placed to act for the long term.
God has broken and softened many hearts towards refugees – both inside and outside of the Church. This site has been set up to capture and harness all the goodwill and offers of help from people, churches and communities. That’s why we’re inviting you to register.
This site is specifically set up so that you can register your willingness to help. We will not be the people who decide what needs to be done or the people who coordinate it. The aim is that this collected information will be a resource when the strategies and structures for a response are in place. We hope this site will allow a more effective response than if each church or denomination does its own thing.
Please be fully aware that registering does not guarantee that you will be approached to help. Equally, you may be contacted much further down the road when policy and procedures allow. The issues around refugee support and provision are complex and will have to go through statutory bodies and executive decisions. At this stage we want to show policy makers that we have a bank of people who can be mobilised as part of a response.
The greatest need will be for lots of people and churches who will be available to welcome, befriend, bless and be committed to serving families for the long haul. Some specific areas of help needed include:
Embrace is an inter-church organisation which has been working on the ground in N.I for the last 14 years. Its main focus is to encourage local church communities to make N.I a more welcoming place for all people from minority ethnic backgrounds.
Embrace also provide education for churches and communities in how best to respond on the ground. Their website has useful resources including an explanation of the terminology used to describe refugees, migrants and asylum seekers.
VisitCitizens UK link up local councils in England and Wales with private houses to be made available for refugees and destitute people. The owner would receive the local council rate for the rent of the property. The accommodation can often therefore be of a better standard and better located and so be a better service. Currently these links are not set up in Northern Ireland. Another example of why we need to lobby our Executive and be part of the conversations.
VisitThe Irish Refugee Council (IRC) is Ireland’s only national non-governmental organisation which specialises in working with and for refugees in Ireland.
VisitEmbrace is an inter-church organisation who have been working on the ground in N.I for the last 14 years. Its main focus is to encourage local church communities to make N.I a more welcoming place for all people who are from minority ethnic backgrounds.
Embrace also provide education for churches and communities in how best to respond on the ground. The site also provides explanation of the terminology used to describe refugees, migrants and asylum seekers.
VisitCitizens UK link up local councils in England and Wales with private houses to be made available for refugees and destitute people. The owner would receive the local council rate for the rent of the property. The accommodation can often therefore be of a better standard and better located and so be a better service. Currently these links are not set up in Northern Ireland. Another example of why we need to lobby our executive and be in the conversations.
VisitThe Irish Refugee Council (IRC) is Ireland’s only national non-governmental organisation which specialises in working with and for refugees in Ireland.
Visit