Refugees. What Help?

[bainbrig]

After watching a recorded episode of BBC’s harrowing Exodus series on refugees, I’m wondering if there is anything a concerned individual can do to help these poor abandoned people.

BB

[Old_Geezer]

Maybe contribute to a charity that helps with the camps on the border of the nearby safe countries ?

[Tyrion44]

I also watched this series and was really moved by the stories of these people. I wonder what happened to the family from Afghanistan? I do hope the BBC does a follow up. I agree with O G. Look up some refugee charities but check that they are recognised by the Charities Commission as there are a lot of sharks out there.

[jourdain2]

Agree. Do not just chuck money around. Check carefully, there will be small charities which are actually helping people and your money will not disappear into admin.. If you can find one offering practical help (eg lorryloads of baby equipment) so much the better. They always exist.

[webbo3]

these poor people that travelled through 8 countries to reach a safe one, which makes them economic migrants.

[bainbrig]

Webb: I take it you didn’t watch the programme?

[webbo3]

No, I saw a clip one morning and it was mentioned how they travelled through 8 countries.

[webbo3]

Episode 3

21-year-old Alaigie is preparing to leave Gambia to travel 'the back way' 6,000 kilometres to Italy to find work. Following his father's death, Alaigie's dreams of becoming an engineer were shattered, and he needs to earn money to support his family. He films the dangerous journey through Africa via a network of smugglers, at the mercy of thieves and violent border guards, across the Sahara in overloaded trucks to Tripoli. But instead of getting on a boat as he had expected, Alaigie is kidnapped and a ransom is demanded. His family in Gambia struggle to raise the money to pay.

6,00 Km to Italy, Economic migrant.


\\Meanwhile, Syrian Kurd Ahmad's attempt to be smuggled into Britain in the back of a lorry finally pays off, and he's sent to Wakefield while his asylum claim is processed. He's desperate to get leave to remain so that he can bring his wife and daughters out of Syria. With their home town under attack from Daesh (so-called Islamic State) and the Assad regime, the clock is ticking for him to get them to safety.//


Why the U.K?..........Economic migrant


\\And 27-year-old Hassan, who survived the sinking of his dinghy in the Mediterranean, has reached Calais and the Jungle. But every attempt to board a train or lorry is thwarted. In desperation he tries to fly to the UK on a fake Czech passport, but the final few miles prove the hardest to travel.//

Hes in a safe country, we cant afford to give hand outs to everyone
..Economic migrant

[bainbrig]

So what? Are you saying the thousands of Jews who fled Germany because they weren’t allowed to work were ‘economic migrants’ and thus undeserving of our help?

What a dreadful moral stance.

[webbo3]

No, they were escaping war and extermination, some came here, the whole of Europe was at war, it isn’t now, they should be claiming asylum in the first safe country and not picking and choosing, why aren’t they heading to some of the safe middle eastern or safe African countries.

[bainbrig]

Cop out.

[Togo]

Haha Cop Out. Straight out of the virtue signal handbook. You could always give up your house to a family.....you know make yourself homeless, and your bank details, that would be doing "something". I remember Churchill's famous advice to a meddler. "Don't just do Something.....Sit There".

[Mamyalynne]

I agree with the first few replies Bainbrig - choose the charity you support with care.

[webbo3]

Here are you poor migrants.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5118483/Two-Afghan-gangs-open-fire-Calais.html

[Mamyalynne]

Have some of you actually read the question asked in the OP?

[Togo]

Yes We can read. A "concerned" individual has many ways if filled with true intent. Virtual hand wringing on a website whilst anonymous is not one of them.

[bainbrig]

It all contributes to a country’s stance, Togo (and I hadn’t realised Togo was your real name). Positive, friendly attitudes all make a place more welcoming, more of a decent place.

I want to live in a country that believes in decency, not in Togoland.

[naomi24]

bainbrig, instead of virtue signalling here your time would be better employed contacting the numerous aid agencies. They’ll give you a few ideas.

Like it or not, most of the people flocking to our shores are economic migrants. If they weren’t they’d be happy to remain in the first safe country they set foot in. Comparing them with the Jews fleeing Nazi Germany is shameful.

[TWR]

Are the Syrian Government doing anything to help these people?

[bainbrig]

What is this ‘virtue signalling’ crap? Just the latest trendy cliche.

A debate about the treatment of desperate people must be valid, even in this awful place.

[naomi24]

//What is this ‘virtue signalling’ crap? Just the latest trendy cliche.//

More a trendy occupation.

//A debate about the treatment of desperate people must be valid//

Indeed it is, but as has been pointed out most of the people coming to Europe aren't desperate.