A new survey by the leading refugee agencies published today has revealed shocking levels of destitution among their client group. More than 40 per cent of asylum seekers and refugees using their services had no access to any means of support, and were street homeless or staying with friends or acquaintances only temporarily.
The number includes people who are at the end of the asylum process and, are left on the streets, not able to access food or shelter and with no right to work to support themselves, despite being unable to return home. These people are often from countries like Iraq, Zimbabwe and Eritrea, places so dangerous they are frightened to go back. For them, being hungry and homeless in Britain is the only option.
Others were entitled to support, but administrative failures in the system meant they were left destitute.
The evidence comes from a “snapshot survey” of people visiting the national network of One Stop Services for asylum seekers in November/December 2007.
Donna Covey, Chief Executive of Refugee Council and Chair of the Asylum Support Programme Inter-Agency Partnership which conducted the research, said:
“The number of destitute people coming to us for help is harrowing. As the survey shows, the system is failing some of the most vulnerable people in our communities. Many of the destitute people seen in our offices are entitled to support, but the system is letting them down. Others are being denied support by the government even though it is not possible for them to return home– some need safety here, others are simply not able to return just yet. Many asylum seekers and refugees want to return home when it is safe for them to do so. Until then, under no circumstances should we be leaving people to starve on our streets.”
Ends
Notes to editor
1. Read the report: The Destitution Tally: an indication of the extent of destitution among asylum seekers and refugees [January 2008]
2. The Refugee Agencies that make up the Asylum Support Programme Inter-Agency Partnership are: Refugee Council, Refugee Action, Migrant Helpline, Welsh Refugee Council and Scottish Refugee Council.
