Hear from refugees about the impact of family separation
We're grateful to all the refugees who have shared their stories with us to demonstrate how being separated from their families has impacted their lives.
Read moreFamilies Belong Together
Right now, unfair rules are keeping refugee families apart. We want to change that and bring #FamiliesTogether.
Where would you be without your family?
Imagine you had been forced to flee your home because of war and became separated from your mother, father, sister or brother. Alone, in a new country, you have to try and rebuild your life without the love and support of your family, all the while worrying about their safety. This is the reality faced by many refugees in the UK.
We have four simple demands to change this:
1
Fair and equal treatment for all families
All refugees must be entitled to reunite with their close family, however they arrive, wherever they’re from, and whatever their age. The government must stop treating refugees differently based on how they have arrived in the UK.
2
Reunite children with their parents
Children need their parents. Child refugees in the UK must have the right to sponsor their close family. This will help them to rebuild their lives together and integrate into their new community.
3
Expand the definition of family
The definition of who qualifies as family must be expanded so that sick or elderly parents who are dependent on family in the UK can live here in safety with their families.
4
Bring back legal aid
The reintroduction of legal aid so refugees who have lost everything have the support they need to navigate the complicated process of being reunited with their families.
Latest
No Dad Jokes Without Dad
Coalition members, Refugee Council and City of Sanctuary, are collecting the UK’s favourite dad jokes to raise awareness of refugee children who are separated from their dads...
No Dad Jokes Without Dad
Refugee Council and Help for Heroes write to the Immigration Minister
Enver Solomon and James Needham, the CEOs of the Refugee Council and veterans’ charity Help for Heroes, have jointly written to the Immigration Minister, Robert Jenrick, calling on the Home Office to put in place a system to reunite Afghan families separated during the UK government’s evacuation effort, Operation Pitting.
Refugee Council and Help for Heroes write to Immigration Minister
More than 4000 leave messages of support for separated children
More than 4000 people have signed the Refugee Council’s alternative Mother’s Day card calling on the government to reunite refugee children with their mums. The cards contain a message from from 14-year-old Dawit*, explaining how being separated from his mum impacts him. The cards call on the government to change the rules so that children…
More than 4000 leave messages of support for separated children this Mother’s Day
