We all need safety, community and a sense of belonging.
While local and national contexts may vary, the challenges faced by those we support are deeply human and common to us all. On top of that, people seeking sanctuary face structural injustices, cruel migration policies and widespread discrimination. In short, Refugee Support Europe’s work has never been tougher and never been more necessary.
Whether in Cyprus or the UK, many arrive at our doors exhausted, isolated and with nowhere else to turn. Slow and confusing asylum procedures combined with an increasingly hostile environment continue to push many into poverty, homelessness and precarity. The very systems in place to protect fundamental rights seem instead designed to break people.
This year saw a rise in misdirected anger and targeted violence towards racialised and marginalised people. Following years of scapegoating rhetoric by governments across countries and continents, the violence in the UK in summer 2024 marked a deeply alarming escalation. Meanwhile, Trump’s re-election, the continued genocide of Palestinians as well as largely forgotten wars in countries like Sudan, highlighted the global importance of our work while making it ever-more challenging.
RSE’s ultimate goal is a world where our support is not needed – yet, with each passing year, this becomes harder to imagine. One of our Bournemouth members summarised the profound impact of our work against the stark reality of the current context: “Being at the Dignity Centre, it does start to make you feel human again. We are a problem in this country, something that needs to be managed. But at the Centre we are seen as people.”
In a year where hope has felt far away, we have found it time and time again at our Dignity Centres. Everyone involved – whether member, staff, volunteer, local resident, partner or donor – is treated as a stakeholder in shaping stronger, more connected communities. This is what solidarity means to us: standing shoulder to shoulder, recognising our shared humanity and rejecting the idea that one group ‘saves’ another. We will continue to push back against hatred and division, to push for a fair and compassionate asylum system, and, most importantly, to show up for our members – and each other.
Download our Annual Report for 2024-25
