Statue of Liberty National Monument
View allAll Photos Tagged Immigration's
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Abused, Abandoned, Jungle Dogs.
Short Back Story ..............................
Really long day, went west till I was east, met
with immigration's.
Turned around and came home, got here late.
Tomorrow I'll be heading east till I'm near the
Cambodian border. No# 1 wife will be waiting
to see me ... ;-)
It'll be another very long hot day on the road.
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Want to share this article a close friend has sent to me....
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Wolves in California help veterans suffering from PTSD
Published December 29, 2015
Wolves help military veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. (Sky News)
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An animal sanctuary in California has developed a programme to help military veterans suffering with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) by building relationships with some of nature's most mysterious animals.
Around 40 wolves live at the Lockwood Rescue Animal Rescue Centre, some saved from lives chained up in Alaska, others ill-advisedly bought as pets.
And founders Matt Simmons, a US Navy veteran, and Dr Lorin Lindner, a psychologist, say the animals are unique in the relationship they can offer those suffering the hidden scars of conflict.
Dr Lindner said: "These are wild animals who are choosing to make a relationship with you and that is profoundly important for someone suffering a traumatic stress disorder. One of the main symptoms of those disorders is the inability to trust, to build relationships, to feel like you're safe.
"These animals we are rescuing also have traumatic stress disorders, are also shy and have difficulty developing relationships and trusting again."
Dr Lindner says they developed the programme after seeing the success of bird therapy.
She says the struggles of the US Department of Veterans Affairs to help those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan also inspired them to take action.
Veterans who have taken part in the programme say it is been more helpful than conventional therapy.
Jim Minick spent 10 years in the US Navy and says he was "lost" when he left.
He said: "I can speak for myself and some of the veterans that I know and it is hard to re-integrate back into normal society and trusting people, trusting society, how they are going to judge you."
He credits his relationship with a wolf called Kehei for helping him.
He said: "These guys really don't judge you, they really don't care what you did before, they just care who you are and it is a really special bond, a special relationship.
"For me, it means a little more that this is an animal that's not normally friendly with humans, they are very shy, they stay away from humans at all costs and here he is, I can walk down the side of the fence and call him and he comes running."
Dr Lindner says wolves receive a "bad rap" - there hasn't been an attack on a human in the lower 48 states in recorded history, she says - but adds that this does not make them suitable as pets.
"They look cute and cuddly but these are wild animals," she said.
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Thank You.
Jon&Crew.
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Please help with your donations here.
www.gofundme.com/saving-thai-temple-dogs.
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No Awards, Invites, Large Logos or Copy an Pastes.
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Nikon D300/ Nikkor 17-55 2.8.
Cambodian/Thai border on a [as usual] very warm/hot day. Sun is heating up the asphalt by the minute.
Out of nowhere a young Cambodian girl comes gliding past like a refreshing cool breeze. I took one more step out into the intersection getting just a little closer to the subject.
She looked up just as the shutter was pressed, poof and she was gone as fast as she had appeared..
This is a 1/20sec shot with the sun off to the left which is East and this shot is facing South.
Don't know when my wanderings will take me up this way again, in fact I really don't know where I'm going after the end of this month. But next week I'll be down town Bangkok where a bunch of street work will be done.
Reason for a trip to BKK is my passport is full, even after having pages added two times.Thai customs and immigration's have said "get a new passport , no pages left" Well it will expire in 5 months anyway so it has given me nearly 10 years of good service. With the monsoons coming this is the ideal time to do it
.., Thanks for coming by ..;-)
<<<<<< The EXIF reading is faulty, it was fixed later >>>>>>
Thank You.
Jon&Crew.
Please help with your donations here.
www.gofundme.com/saving-thai-temple-dogs.
Please,
No Political Statements, Awards, Invites,
Large Logos or Copy/Pastes.
© All rights reserved.
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Abandoned Abused Street Dogs.
Back Story .........................................
Rain and wind had stopped before I left.
Daybreak was still an hour away as the
scooter made it's way down the road.
Ms Mama, BTP and Little Freckles were all
waiting for me at the head of the driveway.
After the first phase of feeding was over we
took off. Numerous food bags were stashed
in my cargo pockets as well as in the cloth bag
that carried special items for the nuns.
A small container with antibiotic cream is in my
pocket with extra q-tips too.
All the dogs were cared for and are doing fine.
Thursday and Friday I was on the road in heavy
rain an wind. Had a meeting with immigration's
in a town a very long ways away, 3 hr each way !
Didn't want to go today, but I did. Next is breakfast
then a long nap. Tomorrow I stay home and rest up.
Thank you for your comments and donations.
Thank You.
Jon&Crew.
Please help with your donations here.
www.gofundme.com/saving-thai-temple-dogs.
Please,
No Political Statements, Awards, Invites,
Large Logos or Copy/Pastes.
© All rights reserved.
.
I watched the BBC televisualized programme last night called Question Time (QT)… I know, it’s my own fault. Once again it was one hour of failing to deal with any one issue in anything like sufficient depth.
The topic of housing came up. Mention was made of supply and demand. Conciliatory noises that governments of all stripes had failed to build enough homes for decades followed. Very few council homes had been built since Mrs Thatcher sold them off.
Whatever people think of Thatcherism, at least she understood that neighbourhoods improve if people have the economic imperative of home ownership and the pride to look after their own properties. It’s a shame the drawbridge was effectively pulled up, and that people are not paid enough to afford a home.
Some panellists tried to temper demand by suggesting we need to lose the idea young people should ever own their own homes, something which historically has characterized the UK as different from much of continental Europe.
Dampening demand would be useful. This is not helped by people living longer, and living in ever smaller households. Every home needs a bathroom, kitchen and hopefully a general reception room, plus however many bedrooms. The fewer bedrooms in a property, the greater ratio of kitchens, bathooms and reception rooms to bedrooms will be, which decreases efficiency – a key tenet of capitalism unheeded.
Last night during QT, I did not hear mention of immigration’s effect on the housing market. Deafening silence. Maybe the word is now banned from the BBC, for its triggering effect on some people. However, the BBC frequently shows poor immigrants living 10 people to a bedroom in London, in houses made for a family of four, with just one bathroom to the point where police raid such premises at dawn. Immigration affects demand for housing and many of the immigrants coming to the UK suffer just as much or even more than UK citizens in the search for what UK law deems acceptably safe and healthy accommodation. It appears that immigration favours only a select few, not the host country nor the immigrants.
If we are not free to discuss the housing problem freely, just like so many other issues, it will never be solved. Of course any politician who analyzed the demographic changes in the UK post war period would have seen the approaching demographic timebomb and the demand bubble it would create in so many areas of life. The fact that apparently nobody in public office did so would suggest wilful avoidance, incompetence or malice. Either way, various generations of politicians (of all parties) have failed the people of the UK.
Of course the mortgage market is another issue entirely.
Hello there. Relevant comments welcome but please do NOT post any link(s). All my images are my own original work, under my copyright, with all rights reserved. You need my permission to use any image for ANY purpose.
Copyright infringement is theft.
Her passport arrived just a couple days before departure.
Heh, and she'll have that baby blob-face photo for the next five years! Imagine immigration's reaction when she is traveling as a 5-yr old.
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Abandoned Abused Street Dogs.
Back Story .........................................
While taking this photo Pumpkin and her brother "DJ",
are trying to pull a small bag of kibble from a cargo pocket.
Things have been quite busy around here. Caring for all the
abandoned abused dogs in two different areas while trying
to keep my personal affairs in order.
One day the monkey temple dogs are cared for. The next day
I am at immigration's, a long ways from our place.
Then it's back to Mr Tri-Pods Place. Once a week it's back out
to the Cambodian border to see no# 1 wife. Then back to The Dog Palace and all the monkey temple dogs.
Sound easy ?
Well Thursday night, just as it was getting dark I came home and noticed a lot of water on the porch ? I had been gone about 6 hours.
Then I noticed the water was coming from under both doors !!!
Opened the door and a wave of water came flowing out !!!
There's three fans that sit on the floor and they were slightly tipsy due to the amount of water. That means if I was going to be electrocuted it would have already happened.
Charged in and hit the breaker box. Turned and could see the water line from the wall to the sink faucet had exploded and the drain in the bathroom was overwhelmed. About 3-4 inches of water covered the floor in the entire house.
Needless to say I have been a busy bee for the last few days.
The water line is Chinese Junk made from recycled plastic.
China dumps all it's faulty crap here in Thailand due to corruption ! Sad but this is a 3rd world country and China makes a lot of money from the Thais. Sad but true !
Anyway I'm taking this one day at a time and expect maybe a week + things will be back to semi-normal. A lot of our cabinets are, were, MDF so they're gone. Computer table is history but the computer is OK. Bass speaker didn't make it.
All camera gear is up high in a dry box so no problem there.
OK, End of Rant ........ ;-0
If I'm MIA from time to time in the next week or so please don't be alarmed. The dogs continue to be cared for just like clock work. My Visa is an issue but there is some light at the end of the tunnel right now. Not a big light but some light.
Computer is hit an miss and my friend Mr Side Car the computer wizard will be out of the country for a month .
One more thing, It's been in the 40's C here and we only have fans to blow the hot air around....................................................
So what's this mean you ask ?
It means I'm flying by the seat of my pants .......................... ;-)
Thank You.
Jon&Crew.
Please help with your donations here.
www.gofundme.com/saving-thai-temple-dogs.
Please,
No Political Statements, Awards, Invites,
Large Logos or Copy/Pastes.
.
Robert Fisk of The Independent at Low Library Rotunda of Columbia University, April 14, 2006 for a panel discussion on "Reporting War" (Co-sponsored by the Heyman Center for the Humanities and The Columbia University Human Rights Seminar).
From the Program Notes: "Robert Fisk is cuurently the Middle East correspondent for the British newspaper The Independent. He has covered conflicts in Northern Ireland, Israeli invasions of Lebanon, the Iranian Revolution, the Iran-Iraq war, the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, the Gulf Wars, wars in Bosnia and Algeria, the NATO war with Yugoslavia, and the Palestinian uprisings. Fisk has received numerous awards including the British Press Awards' International Journalist of the Year seven times. Fluent in Arabic, Fisk is one of the few Western journalists to have interviewed Osama bin Laden (three times between 1994 and 1997). HIs latest book, The Great War for Civilisation--The Conquest of the Middle East (review), was published in 2005."
Recent articles in The Independent
Unofficial site of past articles from The Independent maintained by "a group of individuals"
Talk before New York's Society for Ethical Culture, April 7, 2006 (spoke for nearly 3 hours). Summary of talk.
Democracy Now transcript of a panel of people including Fisk, April 7, 2006, includes video of Fisk being interviewed. Much of what he says in the video he also said at Columbia University. Archives of Fisk on Democracy Now.
Znet on Middle East Watch by Robert Fisk
The New Mexican story, 9/22/05, in brief on US immigration's refusal to allow Fisk to board a plane to speak in Santa Fe, NM
Title: Immigration - Promotional Activities - Immigration display at Careers Information Centre - Youth was meeting the challenges of the 20th century, the mayor of Dandenong, Councillor A C Downard, said on May 13th. He was opening a Careers Information Centre at Dandenong, 18 miles south-east of Melbourne. The centre was organised by the Rotary Club of Dandenong. Twenty-six professions and trades were represented, and the Department of Immigration arranged a display, which emphasised immigration's contribution to Australia's expansion, and the drive for citizenship. Margaret Bear, 8, of 70 Browns Road, Clayton, a Melbourne suburb, obviously thinks naturalization is something to be happy about, too. She was pictured when visiting the Immigration display at the Careers Information Centre, Dandenong.
Date range: 1964 - 1964
Source: From the National Library of Australia
NAA: A12111, 1/1964/34/77
Item ID: 8114902
It seems I no sooner clear off my desk and a whole pile more freebies arrive in the mail. I can't seem to keep caught up!
This is what I have received lately in Southern Ontario, Canada. Make sure that you follow, subscribe or become a fan on Facebook so you don't miss out on a single freebie!
Free Ensure Samples - I got another box of Ensure - with three bottles of Ensure Plus this time and three $3.00 off coupons. (US readers can also get Free Ensure)
FREE Reusable Shopping Bag & Formula - They sent me yet another sample of their Heinz baby rice cereal and coupons: $3 off Heinz Nuture Infant Formula, two $1.50 off Heinz cereal, two $1 off 8 Heinz baby food, $1 off two Heinz meat baby food or two Heinz 1L juice.
Free Huggies Pure & Natural diapers - I received three Huggies disposable diapers and a reusable ziplock diaper bag - and coupons: two $3 off Huggies Pure & Natural diapers, two $1 off Huggies baby wipes, two $3 off Huggies Little Movers or Pure & Natural diapers.
OK, no idea where I got the two Pampers diapers I received, I can't find a post on Frugal Freebies about it. Perhaps I signed up to Pampers.ca or maybe through Pampers at Save.ca and so they sent them out - or maybe one of the formula companies gave them my address? Anyhow, there were also coupons: two $4 off Pampers Cruisers box pack, two $1.50 off Pampers wipes, two $2 off Pampers Baby-Dry box pack, two $1 off Oral-B Stages Brush or Cleaner and two $10 off any Olay product. (US readers can get Free Pampers at Walmart)
Your Name in History - I received my Ambassassador's Manifesto from Maker's Mark. When you become a Maker’s Mark Ambassador, the first thing they will do is assign your name to a barrel in a new batch of Maker’s Mark. As it matures, they will let you know how it’s doing. And when it reaches maturity, you’ll have a chance to taste it!
Free Nutella - I received two samples of Nutella, which Rob loves!
Free Reactine - There are three pills in the box, enough for
Free Pregnancy Planner - I got a really nice spiral-bound book with lots of info and places to fill out - month by month.
The It's All About Food CD is actually something I need to review - Oops - sorry about that.
Free Copy of PBS "To the Contrary" - I received a CD called "Immigration's Impact on Literacy, The Underground Economy & College Tuition".
Free Pedometer from the Canadian Space Agency - I got a small black pedometer.
Brussels, Belgium, 3 September, 2015-GNRD-Brussels provided humanitarian aid to hundreds of stranded asylum seekers camped in front of the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees, situated next to Gare Du Nord in Brussels. Responding to the urgent crisis that has unfolded over the past week, GNRD staff distributed food supplies to the men, women, and children living in a makeshift refugee camp, as they waited to apply for reception at the government offices.
While asylum seekers normally receive immediate relief from FEDASIL, the Federal agency dedicated to welcoming refugees and stateless persons in Belgium, the high influx of applicants over the past two weeks has prevented the Commissariat from processing all requests on a daily basis. Officials have consequently resorted to a backlog system that allows applicants to return within one or two days.
But with a high proportion of asylum seekers arriving in Belgium with nothing but the clothes on their backs, many are unable secure food, personal hygiene items, and accommodation. The situation quickly devolved into a humanitarian crisis, with asylum seekers sleeping out of donated and makeshift tents in front of the Commissariat General for Refugees and Stateless Persons, living off of supplies provided by civil society organizations and the local community.
GNRD staff arrived at the camp Thursday afternoon with warm meals, water and other supplies, and teamed up with local aid workers to distribute them throughout the camp. GNRD also hired a set of barbers to provide free haircuts for asylum seekers, many of whom have gone months without the opportunity to access a hairdresser. GNRD is committed to protecting the humanity and livelihoods of all vulnerable groups, and firmly believes that all persons deserve the right to dignity and decent standard of living.
“What we are witnessing here is unacceptable,” said Ramadan Abu Jazar, Director of GNRD-Brussels. “These refugees have fled from fear, death and persecution, and risked their lives on incredibly dangerous routes to get here. They should not be living here in conditions worse than where they came from.”
Following the distribution of food, GNRD staff spoke with several asylum seekers to determine the most desperately needed forms of aid, and learn more about their individual situations. One man, Refaat Abu Sheikh, took his children and fled for his life from a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria, after witnessing the murder of five of his friends at the hands of an ISIS affiliated group. He embarked on a smugglers boat to Turkey, where they were deprived of food and water for two days, leading to the death of some passengers, including children. He remarked that upon finally arriving in Belgium, he had hoped that he would receive the rights and security that he couldn’t get back home. “I’m looking for stability,” he stated, “not for me, but for my children.”
GNRD will continue to closely monitor the developing situation of asylum seekers and refugees in Brussels, and has pledged to collaborate with the Belgian Red Cross to provide any necessary further assistance. While GNRD commends the ministry of immigration’s recent decision to rapidly create 5,000 extra places in federal migration centres for asylum seekers, it calls on government officials to also quickly expand the working capacity of the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees to avoid similar crises from reoccurring in the future. GNRD offices in Europe will also continue to pressure EU leaders to put an immediate end to the death and suffering of innocent migrants arriving at their borders.
- See more at: gnrd.net/seemore.php?id=1895#sthash.73jl1VJB.dpuf
Brussels, Belgium, 3 September, 2015-GNRD-Brussels provided humanitarian aid to hundreds of stranded asylum seekers camped in front of the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees, situated next to Gare Du Nord in Brussels. Responding to the urgent crisis that has unfolded over the past week, GNRD staff distributed food supplies to the men, women, and children living in a makeshift refugee camp, as they waited to apply for reception at the government offices.
While asylum seekers normally receive immediate relief from FEDASIL, the Federal agency dedicated to welcoming refugees and stateless persons in Belgium, the high influx of applicants over the past two weeks has prevented the Commissariat from processing all requests on a daily basis. Officials have consequently resorted to a backlog system that allows applicants to return within one or two days.
But with a high proportion of asylum seekers arriving in Belgium with nothing but the clothes on their backs, many are unable secure food, personal hygiene items, and accommodation. The situation quickly devolved into a humanitarian crisis, with asylum seekers sleeping out of donated and makeshift tents in front of the Commissariat General for Refugees and Stateless Persons, living off of supplies provided by civil society organizations and the local community.
GNRD staff arrived at the camp Thursday afternoon with warm meals, water and other supplies, and teamed up with local aid workers to distribute them throughout the camp. GNRD also hired a set of barbers to provide free haircuts for asylum seekers, many of whom have gone months without the opportunity to access a hairdresser. GNRD is committed to protecting the humanity and livelihoods of all vulnerable groups, and firmly believes that all persons deserve the right to dignity and decent standard of living.
“What we are witnessing here is unacceptable,” said Ramadan Abu Jazar, Director of GNRD-Brussels. “These refugees have fled from fear, death and persecution, and risked their lives on incredibly dangerous routes to get here. They should not be living here in conditions worse than where they came from.”
Following the distribution of food, GNRD staff spoke with several asylum seekers to determine the most desperately needed forms of aid, and learn more about their individual situations. One man, Refaat Abu Sheikh, took his children and fled for his life from a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria, after witnessing the murder of five of his friends at the hands of an ISIS affiliated group. He embarked on a smugglers boat to Turkey, where they were deprived of food and water for two days, leading to the death of some passengers, including children. He remarked that upon finally arriving in Belgium, he had hoped that he would receive the rights and security that he couldn’t get back home. “I’m looking for stability,” he stated, “not for me, but for my children.”
GNRD will continue to closely monitor the developing situation of asylum seekers and refugees in Brussels, and has pledged to collaborate with the Belgian Red Cross to provide any necessary further assistance. While GNRD commends the ministry of immigration’s recent decision to rapidly create 5,000 extra places in federal migration centres for asylum seekers, it calls on government officials to also quickly expand the working capacity of the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees to avoid similar crises from reoccurring in the future. GNRD offices in Europe will also continue to pressure EU leaders to put an immediate end to the death and suffering of innocent migrants arriving at their borders.
- See more at: gnrd.net/seemore.php?id=1895#sthash.73jl1VJB.dpuf
March, 2nd, 2004. Tupolev-154 RA-85641
En route from Sheremetyevo to Yerevan, Armenia.
My very last flight on the Tu-154 with Aeroflot. By that time all decisions were made, Canadian Immigration's OKs were granted, and the 'long vacation' was already scheduled.
We had passed a point of no return...
Robert Fisk of The Independent at Low Library Rotunda of Columbia University, April 14, 2006 for a panel discussion on "Reporting War" (Co-sponsored by the Heyman Center for the Humanities and The Columbia University Human Rights Seminar).
From the Program Notes: "Robert Fisk is cuurently the Middle East correspondent for the British newspaper The Independent. He has covered conflicts in Northern Ireland, Israeli invasions of Lebanon, the Iranian Revolution, the Iran-Iraq war, the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, the Gulf Wars, wars in Bosnia and Algeria, the NATO war with Yugoslavia, and the Palestinian uprisings. Fisk has received numerous awards including the British Press Awards' International Journalist of the Year seven times. Fluent in Arabic, Fisk is one of the few Western journalists to have interviewed Osama bin Laden (three times between 1994 and 1997). HIs latest book, The Great War for Civilisation--The Conquest of the Middle East (review), was published in 2005."
Recent articles in The Independent
Unofficial site of past articles from The Independent maintained by "a group of individuals"
Talk before New York's Society for Ethical Culture, April 7, 2006 (spoke for nearly 3 hours). Summary of talk.
Democracy Now transcript of a panel of people including Fisk, April 7, 2006, includes video of Fisk being interviewed. Much of what he says in the video he also said at Columbia University. Archives of Fisk on Democracy Now.
Znet on Middle East Watch by Robert Fisk
The New Mexican story, 9/22/05, in brief on US immigration's refusal to allow Fisk to board a plane to speak in Santa Fe, NM
Foto tirada em uma exposição sobre a imigração japonesa.
É confeccionada com washi (papel artesanal feito a partir da fibra de kozu - um vegetal). Há indícios que surgiu na China, e somente chegou ao Japão aproximadamente após 500 anos, graças ao Budismo, que começava a firmar-se no país.
A tradução livre de washi quer dizer "papel feito no Japão". Muitas pessoas confundem com papel de arroz. O material ainda é usado para confecção de trajes de monges budistas, leques e outros objetos de arte.
*******************************************************************************************
Japanese lantern.
Photo taken at an Japanese immigration's exposition.
It is confectioned with washi (artisan paper made from the fiber of kozu - a vegetable). It has indications that it appeared in China, and only arrived at Japan approximately after 500 years, thanks to the Buddhism that started to firm itself in the country.
The free translation of washi wants to say “paper made in Japan”. Many people confuse with rice's paper. The material is still used for confection of Buddhist's suits of monges, fans and others art's objects.
Brussels, Belgium, 3 September, 2015-GNRD-Brussels provided humanitarian aid to hundreds of stranded asylum seekers camped in front of the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees, situated next to Gare Du Nord in Brussels. Responding to the urgent crisis that has unfolded over the past week, GNRD staff distributed food supplies to the men, women, and children living in a makeshift refugee camp, as they waited to apply for reception at the government offices.
While asylum seekers normally receive immediate relief from FEDASIL, the Federal agency dedicated to welcoming refugees and stateless persons in Belgium, the high influx of applicants over the past two weeks has prevented the Commissariat from processing all requests on a daily basis. Officials have consequently resorted to a backlog system that allows applicants to return within one or two days.
But with a high proportion of asylum seekers arriving in Belgium with nothing but the clothes on their backs, many are unable secure food, personal hygiene items, and accommodation. The situation quickly devolved into a humanitarian crisis, with asylum seekers sleeping out of donated and makeshift tents in front of the Commissariat General for Refugees and Stateless Persons, living off of supplies provided by civil society organizations and the local community.
GNRD staff arrived at the camp Thursday afternoon with warm meals, water and other supplies, and teamed up with local aid workers to distribute them throughout the camp. GNRD also hired a set of barbers to provide free haircuts for asylum seekers, many of whom have gone months without the opportunity to access a hairdresser. GNRD is committed to protecting the humanity and livelihoods of all vulnerable groups, and firmly believes that all persons deserve the right to dignity and decent standard of living.
“What we are witnessing here is unacceptable,” said Ramadan Abu Jazar, Director of GNRD-Brussels. “These refugees have fled from fear, death and persecution, and risked their lives on incredibly dangerous routes to get here. They should not be living here in conditions worse than where they came from.”
Following the distribution of food, GNRD staff spoke with several asylum seekers to determine the most desperately needed forms of aid, and learn more about their individual situations. One man, Refaat Abu Sheikh, took his children and fled for his life from a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria, after witnessing the murder of five of his friends at the hands of an ISIS affiliated group. He embarked on a smugglers boat to Turkey, where they were deprived of food and water for two days, leading to the death of some passengers, including children. He remarked that upon finally arriving in Belgium, he had hoped that he would receive the rights and security that he couldn’t get back home. “I’m looking for stability,” he stated, “not for me, but for my children.”
GNRD will continue to closely monitor the developing situation of asylum seekers and refugees in Brussels, and has pledged to collaborate with the Belgian Red Cross to provide any necessary further assistance. While GNRD commends the ministry of immigration’s recent decision to rapidly create 5,000 extra places in federal migration centres for asylum seekers, it calls on government officials to also quickly expand the working capacity of the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees to avoid similar crises from reoccurring in the future. GNRD offices in Europe will also continue to pressure EU leaders to put an immediate end to the death and suffering of innocent migrants arriving at their borders.
- See more at: gnrd.net/seemore.php?id=1895#sthash.73jl1VJB.dpuf
The SHRM Foundations Tom Darrow (left) and Bailey Yeager (middle) along with the Council for Global Immigration's Emily Campbell (right) staffed the SHRM affiliates station within the SHRM booth during Monday night's #SHRMTalent exposition opening and welcome reception.
Photo by: Vanessa Hill
Generally, and from the second half of the twentieth century, in particular, one of the great forces behind Australia’s nation-building has been immigration.
This prominent group of leading minds convened to discuss and debate multiculturalism and immigration – and explore interrelated issues such as immigration’s educational, social, political and economic effects, and attempt richer contextualisation of Australia’s experience of immigration.
Brussels, Belgium, 3 September, 2015-GNRD-Brussels provided humanitarian aid to hundreds of stranded asylum seekers camped in front of the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees, situated next to Gare Du Nord in Brussels. Responding to the urgent crisis that has unfolded over the past week, GNRD staff distributed food supplies to the men, women, and children living in a makeshift refugee camp, as they waited to apply for reception at the government offices.
While asylum seekers normally receive immediate relief from FEDASIL, the Federal agency dedicated to welcoming refugees and stateless persons in Belgium, the high influx of applicants over the past two weeks has prevented the Commissariat from processing all requests on a daily basis. Officials have consequently resorted to a backlog system that allows applicants to return within one or two days.
But with a high proportion of asylum seekers arriving in Belgium with nothing but the clothes on their backs, many are unable secure food, personal hygiene items, and accommodation. The situation quickly devolved into a humanitarian crisis, with asylum seekers sleeping out of donated and makeshift tents in front of the Commissariat General for Refugees and Stateless Persons, living off of supplies provided by civil society organizations and the local community.
GNRD staff arrived at the camp Thursday afternoon with warm meals, water and other supplies, and teamed up with local aid workers to distribute them throughout the camp. GNRD also hired a set of barbers to provide free haircuts for asylum seekers, many of whom have gone months without the opportunity to access a hairdresser. GNRD is committed to protecting the humanity and livelihoods of all vulnerable groups, and firmly believes that all persons deserve the right to dignity and decent standard of living.
“What we are witnessing here is unacceptable,” said Ramadan Abu Jazar, Director of GNRD-Brussels. “These refugees have fled from fear, death and persecution, and risked their lives on incredibly dangerous routes to get here. They should not be living here in conditions worse than where they came from.”
Following the distribution of food, GNRD staff spoke with several asylum seekers to determine the most desperately needed forms of aid, and learn more about their individual situations. One man, Refaat Abu Sheikh, took his children and fled for his life from a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria, after witnessing the murder of five of his friends at the hands of an ISIS affiliated group. He embarked on a smugglers boat to Turkey, where they were deprived of food and water for two days, leading to the death of some passengers, including children. He remarked that upon finally arriving in Belgium, he had hoped that he would receive the rights and security that he couldn’t get back home. “I’m looking for stability,” he stated, “not for me, but for my children.”
GNRD will continue to closely monitor the developing situation of asylum seekers and refugees in Brussels, and has pledged to collaborate with the Belgian Red Cross to provide any necessary further assistance. While GNRD commends the ministry of immigration’s recent decision to rapidly create 5,000 extra places in federal migration centres for asylum seekers, it calls on government officials to also quickly expand the working capacity of the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees to avoid similar crises from reoccurring in the future. GNRD offices in Europe will also continue to pressure EU leaders to put an immediate end to the death and suffering of innocent migrants arriving at their borders.
- See more at: gnrd.net/seemore.php?id=1895#sthash.73jl1VJB.dpuf
Brussels, Belgium, 3 September, 2015-GNRD-Brussels provided humanitarian aid to hundreds of stranded asylum seekers camped in front of the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees, situated next to Gare Du Nord in Brussels. Responding to the urgent crisis that has unfolded over the past week, GNRD staff distributed food supplies to the men, women, and children living in a makeshift refugee camp, as they waited to apply for reception at the government offices.
While asylum seekers normally receive immediate relief from FEDASIL, the Federal agency dedicated to welcoming refugees and stateless persons in Belgium, the high influx of applicants over the past two weeks has prevented the Commissariat from processing all requests on a daily basis. Officials have consequently resorted to a backlog system that allows applicants to return within one or two days.
But with a high proportion of asylum seekers arriving in Belgium with nothing but the clothes on their backs, many are unable secure food, personal hygiene items, and accommodation. The situation quickly devolved into a humanitarian crisis, with asylum seekers sleeping out of donated and makeshift tents in front of the Commissariat General for Refugees and Stateless Persons, living off of supplies provided by civil society organizations and the local community.
GNRD staff arrived at the camp Thursday afternoon with warm meals, water and other supplies, and teamed up with local aid workers to distribute them throughout the camp. GNRD also hired a set of barbers to provide free haircuts for asylum seekers, many of whom have gone months without the opportunity to access a hairdresser. GNRD is committed to protecting the humanity and livelihoods of all vulnerable groups, and firmly believes that all persons deserve the right to dignity and decent standard of living.
“What we are witnessing here is unacceptable,” said Ramadan Abu Jazar, Director of GNRD-Brussels. “These refugees have fled from fear, death and persecution, and risked their lives on incredibly dangerous routes to get here. They should not be living here in conditions worse than where they came from.”
Following the distribution of food, GNRD staff spoke with several asylum seekers to determine the most desperately needed forms of aid, and learn more about their individual situations. One man, Refaat Abu Sheikh, took his children and fled for his life from a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria, after witnessing the murder of five of his friends at the hands of an ISIS affiliated group. He embarked on a smugglers boat to Turkey, where they were deprived of food and water for two days, leading to the death of some passengers, including children. He remarked that upon finally arriving in Belgium, he had hoped that he would receive the rights and security that he couldn’t get back home. “I’m looking for stability,” he stated, “not for me, but for my children.”
GNRD will continue to closely monitor the developing situation of asylum seekers and refugees in Brussels, and has pledged to collaborate with the Belgian Red Cross to provide any necessary further assistance. While GNRD commends the ministry of immigration’s recent decision to rapidly create 5,000 extra places in federal migration centres for asylum seekers, it calls on government officials to also quickly expand the working capacity of the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees to avoid similar crises from reoccurring in the future. GNRD offices in Europe will also continue to pressure EU leaders to put an immediate end to the death and suffering of innocent migrants arriving at their borders.
- See more at: gnrd.net/seemore.php?id=1895#sthash.73jl1VJB.dpuf
Generally, and from the second half of the twentieth century, in particular, one of the great forces behind Australia’s nation-building has been immigration.
This prominent group of leading minds convened to discuss and debate multiculturalism and immigration – and explore interrelated issues such as immigration’s educational, social, political and economic effects, and attempt richer contextualisation of Australia’s experience of immigration.
2 foreigners call Terminal 3 home
by Eric B. Apolonio
IT’S a story straight out of Hollywood.
Like the fictional character Viktor Navorski in the movie The Terminal, two foreign nationals have been “living” at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 as they await to be repatriated to their countries of origin.
Rene Sake, a Liberian national who arrived in the Philippines on Sept. 27, 2010 from Macao, and Timothy Berrian, a Cameroonian national who arrived in Manila on Aug. 20, 2010 from Guanghzou, China are now housed at the Bureau of Immigration holding area in Terminal 3.
The two foreign nationals flew to Manila via Cebu Pacific.
Immigration rules state that any foreign national from restricted country only enter the Philippines with a valid entry visa.
The Republic of Liberia in western Africa and the Republic of Cameroon in central Africa fall under the restricted category that requires a visa for their nationals to enter the Philippines.
The two were denied entry by immigration officers when they were found to have had no entry visas. They were immediately issued exclusion orders and remanded back to Cebu Pacific to be returned to their ports of origin.
Immigration’s Airport Operations Division head, lawyer Maria Antonnete Bucasas-Mangrobang, told Manila Standard that Terminal 3 Immigration Supervisor Rodolfo Magbuhos had already made two letters of representation to Cebu Pacific to repatriate the two to their countries of origin.
It was learned that Cebu Pacific is liable for a penalty of P50,000 per passenger for boarding undocumented passengers.
Immigration and airport personnel sometimes pitch in to give the two foods and basic toiletries.
Like Navorski in the movie, played by Tom Hanks, the two have been dependent on the kindness of strangers.
But without money to buy tickets to return to their homes, barred from leaving the airport, and virtually forgotten by the airline that flew them in, Sake and Berrian will have to make do with their “home.”
Sources said the two foreigners have been ekking it out on cup noodles due to the high cost of foods available at the terminal.
Brussels, Belgium, 3 September, 2015-GNRD-Brussels provided humanitarian aid to hundreds of stranded asylum seekers camped in front of the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees, situated next to Gare Du Nord in Brussels. Responding to the urgent crisis that has unfolded over the past week, GNRD staff distributed food supplies to the men, women, and children living in a makeshift refugee camp, as they waited to apply for reception at the government offices.
While asylum seekers normally receive immediate relief from FEDASIL, the Federal agency dedicated to welcoming refugees and stateless persons in Belgium, the high influx of applicants over the past two weeks has prevented the Commissariat from processing all requests on a daily basis. Officials have consequently resorted to a backlog system that allows applicants to return within one or two days.
But with a high proportion of asylum seekers arriving in Belgium with nothing but the clothes on their backs, many are unable secure food, personal hygiene items, and accommodation. The situation quickly devolved into a humanitarian crisis, with asylum seekers sleeping out of donated and makeshift tents in front of the Commissariat General for Refugees and Stateless Persons, living off of supplies provided by civil society organizations and the local community.
GNRD staff arrived at the camp Thursday afternoon with warm meals, water and other supplies, and teamed up with local aid workers to distribute them throughout the camp. GNRD also hired a set of barbers to provide free haircuts for asylum seekers, many of whom have gone months without the opportunity to access a hairdresser. GNRD is committed to protecting the humanity and livelihoods of all vulnerable groups, and firmly believes that all persons deserve the right to dignity and decent standard of living.
“What we are witnessing here is unacceptable,” said Ramadan Abu Jazar, Director of GNRD-Brussels. “These refugees have fled from fear, death and persecution, and risked their lives on incredibly dangerous routes to get here. They should not be living here in conditions worse than where they came from.”
Following the distribution of food, GNRD staff spoke with several asylum seekers to determine the most desperately needed forms of aid, and learn more about their individual situations. One man, Refaat Abu Sheikh, took his children and fled for his life from a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria, after witnessing the murder of five of his friends at the hands of an ISIS affiliated group. He embarked on a smugglers boat to Turkey, where they were deprived of food and water for two days, leading to the death of some passengers, including children. He remarked that upon finally arriving in Belgium, he had hoped that he would receive the rights and security that he couldn’t get back home. “I’m looking for stability,” he stated, “not for me, but for my children.”
GNRD will continue to closely monitor the developing situation of asylum seekers and refugees in Brussels, and has pledged to collaborate with the Belgian Red Cross to provide any necessary further assistance. While GNRD commends the ministry of immigration’s recent decision to rapidly create 5,000 extra places in federal migration centres for asylum seekers, it calls on government officials to also quickly expand the working capacity of the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees to avoid similar crises from reoccurring in the future. GNRD offices in Europe will also continue to pressure EU leaders to put an immediate end to the death and suffering of innocent migrants arriving at their borders.
- See more at: gnrd.net/seemore.php?id=1895#sthash.73jl1VJB.dpuf
Generally, and from the second half of the twentieth century, in particular, one of the great forces behind Australia’s nation-building has been immigration.
This prominent group of leading minds convened to discuss and debate multiculturalism and immigration – and explore interrelated issues such as immigration’s educational, social, political and economic effects, and attempt richer contextualisation of Australia’s experience of immigration.
Ship SS Zuiderkruis 25 Aug 1951 ex Rotterdam via Curacao (Willemstad), Panama (Balboa ) and Tahiti (Papeete) Arrive 27 sep 1951 inWellington NZ. Part of what is known as ‘volksverhuizing’ or mass immigration.
S.S. Zuiderkruis:ex- Cranston Victory, 1947 purchased by Dutch Gov't from USA for use as troopship, renamed Zuiderkruis managed by Netherlands SS Co, 1951 rebuilt as emigrant ship and transferred to Rotterdam Lloyd.
I found this comment from John Pijl johnpijl@uniserve.com
SS Cranston Victory was bought by the Dutch Government in 1947 (along with two sister ships, the SS Costa Rica Victory and the SS La Grande Victory), they were used to transport Dutch troops to and from the rebelling colonies in the Dutch East Indies (Indonesia).
(My Uncle Jan Rotman also sailed on this ship in the late 1940s when he was a Lieutenant in the army engineering corp- he was building floating bridges, and was entertainment director, sent to Java, Indonesia)
They became the Zuiderkruis, the Groote Beer, and the Waterman respectively (these are the dutch names of constellations: The Southern Cross, the Great Bear [Ursa Major], and Aquarius, respectively.
In 1951, the remnants of empire having collapsed, they were reconstructed as immigrant ships to handle the large volume of emigration from Holland. They made many trips to Canada and the USA, as well as to Australia and New Zealand. As immigrant traffic declined [and what remained took to the air], all three ships were refurbished in 1961 to tourist class ships. They were sold by the Dutch Government in 1963 to private operators.
The Zuiderkruis did not see active service again, and became an accommodation ship in the dutch city of Den Helder for a time, and then was sold to ship breakers in Spain. She was broken up on Bilboa in 1969. The others were broken up in 1970 and 1971. Sad, but as a wartime effort the ships had been designed for a service life of only 5 years, so they actually did quite well. Very few Victory Ships remain afloat today.
opadocumentary.blogspot.com/2006/01/passenger-ship-ss-zui...
Brussels, Belgium, 3 September, 2015-GNRD-Brussels provided humanitarian aid to hundreds of stranded asylum seekers camped in front of the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees, situated next to Gare Du Nord in Brussels. Responding to the urgent crisis that has unfolded over the past week, GNRD staff distributed food supplies to the men, women, and children living in a makeshift refugee camp, as they waited to apply for reception at the government offices.
While asylum seekers normally receive immediate relief from FEDASIL, the Federal agency dedicated to welcoming refugees and stateless persons in Belgium, the high influx of applicants over the past two weeks has prevented the Commissariat from processing all requests on a daily basis. Officials have consequently resorted to a backlog system that allows applicants to return within one or two days.
But with a high proportion of asylum seekers arriving in Belgium with nothing but the clothes on their backs, many are unable secure food, personal hygiene items, and accommodation. The situation quickly devolved into a humanitarian crisis, with asylum seekers sleeping out of donated and makeshift tents in front of the Commissariat General for Refugees and Stateless Persons, living off of supplies provided by civil society organizations and the local community.
GNRD staff arrived at the camp Thursday afternoon with warm meals, water and other supplies, and teamed up with local aid workers to distribute them throughout the camp. GNRD also hired a set of barbers to provide free haircuts for asylum seekers, many of whom have gone months without the opportunity to access a hairdresser. GNRD is committed to protecting the humanity and livelihoods of all vulnerable groups, and firmly believes that all persons deserve the right to dignity and decent standard of living.
“What we are witnessing here is unacceptable,” said Ramadan Abu Jazar, Director of GNRD-Brussels. “These refugees have fled from fear, death and persecution, and risked their lives on incredibly dangerous routes to get here. They should not be living here in conditions worse than where they came from.”
Following the distribution of food, GNRD staff spoke with several asylum seekers to determine the most desperately needed forms of aid, and learn more about their individual situations. One man, Refaat Abu Sheikh, took his children and fled for his life from a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria, after witnessing the murder of five of his friends at the hands of an ISIS affiliated group. He embarked on a smugglers boat to Turkey, where they were deprived of food and water for two days, leading to the death of some passengers, including children. He remarked that upon finally arriving in Belgium, he had hoped that he would receive the rights and security that he couldn’t get back home. “I’m looking for stability,” he stated, “not for me, but for my children.”
GNRD will continue to closely monitor the developing situation of asylum seekers and refugees in Brussels, and has pledged to collaborate with the Belgian Red Cross to provide any necessary further assistance. While GNRD commends the ministry of immigration’s recent decision to rapidly create 5,000 extra places in federal migration centres for asylum seekers, it calls on government officials to also quickly expand the working capacity of the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees to avoid similar crises from reoccurring in the future. GNRD offices in Europe will also continue to pressure EU leaders to put an immediate end to the death and suffering of innocent migrants arriving at their borders.
- See more at: gnrd.net/seemore.php?id=1895#sthash.73jl1VJB.dpuf
Brussels, Belgium, 3 September, 2015-GNRD-Brussels provided humanitarian aid to hundreds of stranded asylum seekers camped in front of the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees, situated next to Gare Du Nord in Brussels. Responding to the urgent crisis that has unfolded over the past week, GNRD staff distributed food supplies to the men, women, and children living in a makeshift refugee camp, as they waited to apply for reception at the government offices.
While asylum seekers normally receive immediate relief from FEDASIL, the Federal agency dedicated to welcoming refugees and stateless persons in Belgium, the high influx of applicants over the past two weeks has prevented the Commissariat from processing all requests on a daily basis. Officials have consequently resorted to a backlog system that allows applicants to return within one or two days.
But with a high proportion of asylum seekers arriving in Belgium with nothing but the clothes on their backs, many are unable secure food, personal hygiene items, and accommodation. The situation quickly devolved into a humanitarian crisis, with asylum seekers sleeping out of donated and makeshift tents in front of the Commissariat General for Refugees and Stateless Persons, living off of supplies provided by civil society organizations and the local community.
GNRD staff arrived at the camp Thursday afternoon with warm meals, water and other supplies, and teamed up with local aid workers to distribute them throughout the camp. GNRD also hired a set of barbers to provide free haircuts for asylum seekers, many of whom have gone months without the opportunity to access a hairdresser. GNRD is committed to protecting the humanity and livelihoods of all vulnerable groups, and firmly believes that all persons deserve the right to dignity and decent standard of living.
“What we are witnessing here is unacceptable,” said Ramadan Abu Jazar, Director of GNRD-Brussels. “These refugees have fled from fear, death and persecution, and risked their lives on incredibly dangerous routes to get here. They should not be living here in conditions worse than where they came from.”
Following the distribution of food, GNRD staff spoke with several asylum seekers to determine the most desperately needed forms of aid, and learn more about their individual situations. One man, Refaat Abu Sheikh, took his children and fled for his life from a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria, after witnessing the murder of five of his friends at the hands of an ISIS affiliated group. He embarked on a smugglers boat to Turkey, where they were deprived of food and water for two days, leading to the death of some passengers, including children. He remarked that upon finally arriving in Belgium, he had hoped that he would receive the rights and security that he couldn’t get back home. “I’m looking for stability,” he stated, “not for me, but for my children.”
GNRD will continue to closely monitor the developing situation of asylum seekers and refugees in Brussels, and has pledged to collaborate with the Belgian Red Cross to provide any necessary further assistance. While GNRD commends the ministry of immigration’s recent decision to rapidly create 5,000 extra places in federal migration centres for asylum seekers, it calls on government officials to also quickly expand the working capacity of the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees to avoid similar crises from reoccurring in the future. GNRD offices in Europe will also continue to pressure EU leaders to put an immediate end to the death and suffering of innocent migrants arriving at their borders.
- See more at: gnrd.net/seemore.php?id=1895#sthash.73jl1VJB.dpuf
Brussels, Belgium, 3 September, 2015-GNRD-Brussels provided humanitarian aid to hundreds of stranded asylum seekers camped in front of the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees, situated next to Gare Du Nord in Brussels. Responding to the urgent crisis that has unfolded over the past week, GNRD staff distributed food supplies to the men, women, and children living in a makeshift refugee camp, as they waited to apply for reception at the government offices.
While asylum seekers normally receive immediate relief from FEDASIL, the Federal agency dedicated to welcoming refugees and stateless persons in Belgium, the high influx of applicants over the past two weeks has prevented the Commissariat from processing all requests on a daily basis. Officials have consequently resorted to a backlog system that allows applicants to return within one or two days.
But with a high proportion of asylum seekers arriving in Belgium with nothing but the clothes on their backs, many are unable secure food, personal hygiene items, and accommodation. The situation quickly devolved into a humanitarian crisis, with asylum seekers sleeping out of donated and makeshift tents in front of the Commissariat General for Refugees and Stateless Persons, living off of supplies provided by civil society organizations and the local community.
GNRD staff arrived at the camp Thursday afternoon with warm meals, water and other supplies, and teamed up with local aid workers to distribute them throughout the camp. GNRD also hired a set of barbers to provide free haircuts for asylum seekers, many of whom have gone months without the opportunity to access a hairdresser. GNRD is committed to protecting the humanity and livelihoods of all vulnerable groups, and firmly believes that all persons deserve the right to dignity and decent standard of living.
“What we are witnessing here is unacceptable,” said Ramadan Abu Jazar, Director of GNRD-Brussels. “These refugees have fled from fear, death and persecution, and risked their lives on incredibly dangerous routes to get here. They should not be living here in conditions worse than where they came from.”
Following the distribution of food, GNRD staff spoke with several asylum seekers to determine the most desperately needed forms of aid, and learn more about their individual situations. One man, Refaat Abu Sheikh, took his children and fled for his life from a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria, after witnessing the murder of five of his friends at the hands of an ISIS affiliated group. He embarked on a smugglers boat to Turkey, where they were deprived of food and water for two days, leading to the death of some passengers, including children. He remarked that upon finally arriving in Belgium, he had hoped that he would receive the rights and security that he couldn’t get back home. “I’m looking for stability,” he stated, “not for me, but for my children.”
GNRD will continue to closely monitor the developing situation of asylum seekers and refugees in Brussels, and has pledged to collaborate with the Belgian Red Cross to provide any necessary further assistance. While GNRD commends the ministry of immigration’s recent decision to rapidly create 5,000 extra places in federal migration centres for asylum seekers, it calls on government officials to also quickly expand the working capacity of the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees to avoid similar crises from reoccurring in the future. GNRD offices in Europe will also continue to pressure EU leaders to put an immediate end to the death and suffering of innocent migrants arriving at their borders.
- See more at: gnrd.net/seemore.php?id=1895#sthash.73jl1VJB.dpuf
Brussels, Belgium, 3 September, 2015-GNRD-Brussels provided humanitarian aid to hundreds of stranded asylum seekers camped in front of the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees, situated next to Gare Du Nord in Brussels. Responding to the urgent crisis that has unfolded over the past week, GNRD staff distributed food supplies to the men, women, and children living in a makeshift refugee camp, as they waited to apply for reception at the government offices.
While asylum seekers normally receive immediate relief from FEDASIL, the Federal agency dedicated to welcoming refugees and stateless persons in Belgium, the high influx of applicants over the past two weeks has prevented the Commissariat from processing all requests on a daily basis. Officials have consequently resorted to a backlog system that allows applicants to return within one or two days.
But with a high proportion of asylum seekers arriving in Belgium with nothing but the clothes on their backs, many are unable secure food, personal hygiene items, and accommodation. The situation quickly devolved into a humanitarian crisis, with asylum seekers sleeping out of donated and makeshift tents in front of the Commissariat General for Refugees and Stateless Persons, living off of supplies provided by civil society organizations and the local community.
GNRD staff arrived at the camp Thursday afternoon with warm meals, water and other supplies, and teamed up with local aid workers to distribute them throughout the camp. GNRD also hired a set of barbers to provide free haircuts for asylum seekers, many of whom have gone months without the opportunity to access a hairdresser. GNRD is committed to protecting the humanity and livelihoods of all vulnerable groups, and firmly believes that all persons deserve the right to dignity and decent standard of living.
“What we are witnessing here is unacceptable,” said Ramadan Abu Jazar, Director of GNRD-Brussels. “These refugees have fled from fear, death and persecution, and risked their lives on incredibly dangerous routes to get here. They should not be living here in conditions worse than where they came from.”
Following the distribution of food, GNRD staff spoke with several asylum seekers to determine the most desperately needed forms of aid, and learn more about their individual situations. One man, Refaat Abu Sheikh, took his children and fled for his life from a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria, after witnessing the murder of five of his friends at the hands of an ISIS affiliated group. He embarked on a smugglers boat to Turkey, where they were deprived of food and water for two days, leading to the death of some passengers, including children. He remarked that upon finally arriving in Belgium, he had hoped that he would receive the rights and security that he couldn’t get back home. “I’m looking for stability,” he stated, “not for me, but for my children.”
GNRD will continue to closely monitor the developing situation of asylum seekers and refugees in Brussels, and has pledged to collaborate with the Belgian Red Cross to provide any necessary further assistance. While GNRD commends the ministry of immigration’s recent decision to rapidly create 5,000 extra places in federal migration centres for asylum seekers, it calls on government officials to also quickly expand the working capacity of the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees to avoid similar crises from reoccurring in the future. GNRD offices in Europe will also continue to pressure EU leaders to put an immediate end to the death and suffering of innocent migrants arriving at their borders.
- See more at: gnrd.net/seemore.php?id=1895#sthash.73jl1VJB.dpuf
Brussels, Belgium, 3 September, 2015-GNRD-Brussels provided humanitarian aid to hundreds of stranded asylum seekers camped in front of the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees, situated next to Gare Du Nord in Brussels. Responding to the urgent crisis that has unfolded over the past week, GNRD staff distributed food supplies to the men, women, and children living in a makeshift refugee camp, as they waited to apply for reception at the government offices.
While asylum seekers normally receive immediate relief from FEDASIL, the Federal agency dedicated to welcoming refugees and stateless persons in Belgium, the high influx of applicants over the past two weeks has prevented the Commissariat from processing all requests on a daily basis. Officials have consequently resorted to a backlog system that allows applicants to return within one or two days.
But with a high proportion of asylum seekers arriving in Belgium with nothing but the clothes on their backs, many are unable secure food, personal hygiene items, and accommodation. The situation quickly devolved into a humanitarian crisis, with asylum seekers sleeping out of donated and makeshift tents in front of the Commissariat General for Refugees and Stateless Persons, living off of supplies provided by civil society organizations and the local community.
GNRD staff arrived at the camp Thursday afternoon with warm meals, water and other supplies, and teamed up with local aid workers to distribute them throughout the camp. GNRD also hired a set of barbers to provide free haircuts for asylum seekers, many of whom have gone months without the opportunity to access a hairdresser. GNRD is committed to protecting the humanity and livelihoods of all vulnerable groups, and firmly believes that all persons deserve the right to dignity and decent standard of living.
“What we are witnessing here is unacceptable,” said Ramadan Abu Jazar, Director of GNRD-Brussels. “These refugees have fled from fear, death and persecution, and risked their lives on incredibly dangerous routes to get here. They should not be living here in conditions worse than where they came from.”
Following the distribution of food, GNRD staff spoke with several asylum seekers to determine the most desperately needed forms of aid, and learn more about their individual situations. One man, Refaat Abu Sheikh, took his children and fled for his life from a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria, after witnessing the murder of five of his friends at the hands of an ISIS affiliated group. He embarked on a smugglers boat to Turkey, where they were deprived of food and water for two days, leading to the death of some passengers, including children. He remarked that upon finally arriving in Belgium, he had hoped that he would receive the rights and security that he couldn’t get back home. “I’m looking for stability,” he stated, “not for me, but for my children.”
GNRD will continue to closely monitor the developing situation of asylum seekers and refugees in Brussels, and has pledged to collaborate with the Belgian Red Cross to provide any necessary further assistance. While GNRD commends the ministry of immigration’s recent decision to rapidly create 5,000 extra places in federal migration centres for asylum seekers, it calls on government officials to also quickly expand the working capacity of the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees to avoid similar crises from reoccurring in the future. GNRD offices in Europe will also continue to pressure EU leaders to put an immediate end to the death and suffering of innocent migrants arriving at their borders.
- See more at: gnrd.net/seemore.php?id=1895#sthash.73jl1VJB.dpuf
Brussels, Belgium, 3 September, 2015-GNRD-Brussels provided humanitarian aid to hundreds of stranded asylum seekers camped in front of the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees, situated next to Gare Du Nord in Brussels. Responding to the urgent crisis that has unfolded over the past week, GNRD staff distributed food supplies to the men, women, and children living in a makeshift refugee camp, as they waited to apply for reception at the government offices.
While asylum seekers normally receive immediate relief from FEDASIL, the Federal agency dedicated to welcoming refugees and stateless persons in Belgium, the high influx of applicants over the past two weeks has prevented the Commissariat from processing all requests on a daily basis. Officials have consequently resorted to a backlog system that allows applicants to return within one or two days.
But with a high proportion of asylum seekers arriving in Belgium with nothing but the clothes on their backs, many are unable secure food, personal hygiene items, and accommodation. The situation quickly devolved into a humanitarian crisis, with asylum seekers sleeping out of donated and makeshift tents in front of the Commissariat General for Refugees and Stateless Persons, living off of supplies provided by civil society organizations and the local community.
GNRD staff arrived at the camp Thursday afternoon with warm meals, water and other supplies, and teamed up with local aid workers to distribute them throughout the camp. GNRD also hired a set of barbers to provide free haircuts for asylum seekers, many of whom have gone months without the opportunity to access a hairdresser. GNRD is committed to protecting the humanity and livelihoods of all vulnerable groups, and firmly believes that all persons deserve the right to dignity and decent standard of living.
“What we are witnessing here is unacceptable,” said Ramadan Abu Jazar, Director of GNRD-Brussels. “These refugees have fled from fear, death and persecution, and risked their lives on incredibly dangerous routes to get here. They should not be living here in conditions worse than where they came from.”
Following the distribution of food, GNRD staff spoke with several asylum seekers to determine the most desperately needed forms of aid, and learn more about their individual situations. One man, Refaat Abu Sheikh, took his children and fled for his life from a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria, after witnessing the murder of five of his friends at the hands of an ISIS affiliated group. He embarked on a smugglers boat to Turkey, where they were deprived of food and water for two days, leading to the death of some passengers, including children. He remarked that upon finally arriving in Belgium, he had hoped that he would receive the rights and security that he couldn’t get back home. “I’m looking for stability,” he stated, “not for me, but for my children.”
GNRD will continue to closely monitor the developing situation of asylum seekers and refugees in Brussels, and has pledged to collaborate with the Belgian Red Cross to provide any necessary further assistance. While GNRD commends the ministry of immigration’s recent decision to rapidly create 5,000 extra places in federal migration centres for asylum seekers, it calls on government officials to also quickly expand the working capacity of the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees to avoid similar crises from reoccurring in the future. GNRD offices in Europe will also continue to pressure EU leaders to put an immediate end to the death and suffering of innocent migrants arriving at their borders.
- See more at: gnrd.net/seemore.php?id=1895#sthash.73jl1VJB.dpuf
Brussels, Belgium, 3 September, 2015-GNRD-Brussels provided humanitarian aid to hundreds of stranded asylum seekers camped in front of the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees, situated next to Gare Du Nord in Brussels. Responding to the urgent crisis that has unfolded over the past week, GNRD staff distributed food supplies to the men, women, and children living in a makeshift refugee camp, as they waited to apply for reception at the government offices.
While asylum seekers normally receive immediate relief from FEDASIL, the Federal agency dedicated to welcoming refugees and stateless persons in Belgium, the high influx of applicants over the past two weeks has prevented the Commissariat from processing all requests on a daily basis. Officials have consequently resorted to a backlog system that allows applicants to return within one or two days.
But with a high proportion of asylum seekers arriving in Belgium with nothing but the clothes on their backs, many are unable secure food, personal hygiene items, and accommodation. The situation quickly devolved into a humanitarian crisis, with asylum seekers sleeping out of donated and makeshift tents in front of the Commissariat General for Refugees and Stateless Persons, living off of supplies provided by civil society organizations and the local community.
GNRD staff arrived at the camp Thursday afternoon with warm meals, water and other supplies, and teamed up with local aid workers to distribute them throughout the camp. GNRD also hired a set of barbers to provide free haircuts for asylum seekers, many of whom have gone months without the opportunity to access a hairdresser. GNRD is committed to protecting the humanity and livelihoods of all vulnerable groups, and firmly believes that all persons deserve the right to dignity and decent standard of living.
“What we are witnessing here is unacceptable,” said Ramadan Abu Jazar, Director of GNRD-Brussels. “These refugees have fled from fear, death and persecution, and risked their lives on incredibly dangerous routes to get here. They should not be living here in conditions worse than where they came from.”
Following the distribution of food, GNRD staff spoke with several asylum seekers to determine the most desperately needed forms of aid, and learn more about their individual situations. One man, Refaat Abu Sheikh, took his children and fled for his life from a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria, after witnessing the murder of five of his friends at the hands of an ISIS affiliated group. He embarked on a smugglers boat to Turkey, where they were deprived of food and water for two days, leading to the death of some passengers, including children. He remarked that upon finally arriving in Belgium, he had hoped that he would receive the rights and security that he couldn’t get back home. “I’m looking for stability,” he stated, “not for me, but for my children.”
GNRD will continue to closely monitor the developing situation of asylum seekers and refugees in Brussels, and has pledged to collaborate with the Belgian Red Cross to provide any necessary further assistance. While GNRD commends the ministry of immigration’s recent decision to rapidly create 5,000 extra places in federal migration centres for asylum seekers, it calls on government officials to also quickly expand the working capacity of the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees to avoid similar crises from reoccurring in the future. GNRD offices in Europe will also continue to pressure EU leaders to put an immediate end to the death and suffering of innocent migrants arriving at their borders.
- See more at: gnrd.net/seemore.php?id=1895#sthash.73jl1VJB.dpuf
Brussels, Belgium, 3 September, 2015-GNRD-Brussels provided humanitarian aid to hundreds of stranded asylum seekers camped in front of the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees, situated next to Gare Du Nord in Brussels. Responding to the urgent crisis that has unfolded over the past week, GNRD staff distributed food supplies to the men, women, and children living in a makeshift refugee camp, as they waited to apply for reception at the government offices.
While asylum seekers normally receive immediate relief from FEDASIL, the Federal agency dedicated to welcoming refugees and stateless persons in Belgium, the high influx of applicants over the past two weeks has prevented the Commissariat from processing all requests on a daily basis. Officials have consequently resorted to a backlog system that allows applicants to return within one or two days.
But with a high proportion of asylum seekers arriving in Belgium with nothing but the clothes on their backs, many are unable secure food, personal hygiene items, and accommodation. The situation quickly devolved into a humanitarian crisis, with asylum seekers sleeping out of donated and makeshift tents in front of the Commissariat General for Refugees and Stateless Persons, living off of supplies provided by civil society organizations and the local community.
GNRD staff arrived at the camp Thursday afternoon with warm meals, water and other supplies, and teamed up with local aid workers to distribute them throughout the camp. GNRD also hired a set of barbers to provide free haircuts for asylum seekers, many of whom have gone months without the opportunity to access a hairdresser. GNRD is committed to protecting the humanity and livelihoods of all vulnerable groups, and firmly believes that all persons deserve the right to dignity and decent standard of living.
“What we are witnessing here is unacceptable,” said Ramadan Abu Jazar, Director of GNRD-Brussels. “These refugees have fled from fear, death and persecution, and risked their lives on incredibly dangerous routes to get here. They should not be living here in conditions worse than where they came from.”
Following the distribution of food, GNRD staff spoke with several asylum seekers to determine the most desperately needed forms of aid, and learn more about their individual situations. One man, Refaat Abu Sheikh, took his children and fled for his life from a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria, after witnessing the murder of five of his friends at the hands of an ISIS affiliated group. He embarked on a smugglers boat to Turkey, where they were deprived of food and water for two days, leading to the death of some passengers, including children. He remarked that upon finally arriving in Belgium, he had hoped that he would receive the rights and security that he couldn’t get back home. “I’m looking for stability,” he stated, “not for me, but for my children.”
GNRD will continue to closely monitor the developing situation of asylum seekers and refugees in Brussels, and has pledged to collaborate with the Belgian Red Cross to provide any necessary further assistance. While GNRD commends the ministry of immigration’s recent decision to rapidly create 5,000 extra places in federal migration centres for asylum seekers, it calls on government officials to also quickly expand the working capacity of the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees to avoid similar crises from reoccurring in the future. GNRD offices in Europe will also continue to pressure EU leaders to put an immediate end to the death and suffering of innocent migrants arriving at their borders.
- See more at: gnrd.net/seemore.php?id=1895#sthash.73jl1VJB.dpuf
Brussels, Belgium, 3 September, 2015-GNRD-Brussels provided humanitarian aid to hundreds of stranded asylum seekers camped in front of the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees, situated next to Gare Du Nord in Brussels. Responding to the urgent crisis that has unfolded over the past week, GNRD staff distributed food supplies to the men, women, and children living in a makeshift refugee camp, as they waited to apply for reception at the government offices.
While asylum seekers normally receive immediate relief from FEDASIL, the Federal agency dedicated to welcoming refugees and stateless persons in Belgium, the high influx of applicants over the past two weeks has prevented the Commissariat from processing all requests on a daily basis. Officials have consequently resorted to a backlog system that allows applicants to return within one or two days.
But with a high proportion of asylum seekers arriving in Belgium with nothing but the clothes on their backs, many are unable secure food, personal hygiene items, and accommodation. The situation quickly devolved into a humanitarian crisis, with asylum seekers sleeping out of donated and makeshift tents in front of the Commissariat General for Refugees and Stateless Persons, living off of supplies provided by civil society organizations and the local community.
GNRD staff arrived at the camp Thursday afternoon with warm meals, water and other supplies, and teamed up with local aid workers to distribute them throughout the camp. GNRD also hired a set of barbers to provide free haircuts for asylum seekers, many of whom have gone months without the opportunity to access a hairdresser. GNRD is committed to protecting the humanity and livelihoods of all vulnerable groups, and firmly believes that all persons deserve the right to dignity and decent standard of living.
“What we are witnessing here is unacceptable,” said Ramadan Abu Jazar, Director of GNRD-Brussels. “These refugees have fled from fear, death and persecution, and risked their lives on incredibly dangerous routes to get here. They should not be living here in conditions worse than where they came from.”
Following the distribution of food, GNRD staff spoke with several asylum seekers to determine the most desperately needed forms of aid, and learn more about their individual situations. One man, Refaat Abu Sheikh, took his children and fled for his life from a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria, after witnessing the murder of five of his friends at the hands of an ISIS affiliated group. He embarked on a smugglers boat to Turkey, where they were deprived of food and water for two days, leading to the death of some passengers, including children. He remarked that upon finally arriving in Belgium, he had hoped that he would receive the rights and security that he couldn’t get back home. “I’m looking for stability,” he stated, “not for me, but for my children.”
GNRD will continue to closely monitor the developing situation of asylum seekers and refugees in Brussels, and has pledged to collaborate with the Belgian Red Cross to provide any necessary further assistance. While GNRD commends the ministry of immigration’s recent decision to rapidly create 5,000 extra places in federal migration centres for asylum seekers, it calls on government officials to also quickly expand the working capacity of the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees to avoid similar crises from reoccurring in the future. GNRD offices in Europe will also continue to pressure EU leaders to put an immediate end to the death and suffering of innocent migrants arriving at their borders.
- See more at: gnrd.net/seemore.php?id=1895#sthash.73jl1VJB.dpuf
Brussels, Belgium, 3 September, 2015-GNRD-Brussels provided humanitarian aid to hundreds of stranded asylum seekers camped in front of the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees, situated next to Gare Du Nord in Brussels. Responding to the urgent crisis that has unfolded over the past week, GNRD staff distributed food supplies to the men, women, and children living in a makeshift refugee camp, as they waited to apply for reception at the government offices.
While asylum seekers normally receive immediate relief from FEDASIL, the Federal agency dedicated to welcoming refugees and stateless persons in Belgium, the high influx of applicants over the past two weeks has prevented the Commissariat from processing all requests on a daily basis. Officials have consequently resorted to a backlog system that allows applicants to return within one or two days.
But with a high proportion of asylum seekers arriving in Belgium with nothing but the clothes on their backs, many are unable secure food, personal hygiene items, and accommodation. The situation quickly devolved into a humanitarian crisis, with asylum seekers sleeping out of donated and makeshift tents in front of the Commissariat General for Refugees and Stateless Persons, living off of supplies provided by civil society organizations and the local community.
GNRD staff arrived at the camp Thursday afternoon with warm meals, water and other supplies, and teamed up with local aid workers to distribute them throughout the camp. GNRD also hired a set of barbers to provide free haircuts for asylum seekers, many of whom have gone months without the opportunity to access a hairdresser. GNRD is committed to protecting the humanity and livelihoods of all vulnerable groups, and firmly believes that all persons deserve the right to dignity and decent standard of living.
“What we are witnessing here is unacceptable,” said Ramadan Abu Jazar, Director of GNRD-Brussels. “These refugees have fled from fear, death and persecution, and risked their lives on incredibly dangerous routes to get here. They should not be living here in conditions worse than where they came from.”
Following the distribution of food, GNRD staff spoke with several asylum seekers to determine the most desperately needed forms of aid, and learn more about their individual situations. One man, Refaat Abu Sheikh, took his children and fled for his life from a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria, after witnessing the murder of five of his friends at the hands of an ISIS affiliated group. He embarked on a smugglers boat to Turkey, where they were deprived of food and water for two days, leading to the death of some passengers, including children. He remarked that upon finally arriving in Belgium, he had hoped that he would receive the rights and security that he couldn’t get back home. “I’m looking for stability,” he stated, “not for me, but for my children.”
GNRD will continue to closely monitor the developing situation of asylum seekers and refugees in Brussels, and has pledged to collaborate with the Belgian Red Cross to provide any necessary further assistance. While GNRD commends the ministry of immigration’s recent decision to rapidly create 5,000 extra places in federal migration centres for asylum seekers, it calls on government officials to also quickly expand the working capacity of the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees to avoid similar crises from reoccurring in the future. GNRD offices in Europe will also continue to pressure EU leaders to put an immediate end to the death and suffering of innocent migrants arriving at their borders.
- See more at: gnrd.net/seemore.php?id=1895#sthash.73jl1VJB.dpuf
Council for Global Immigration's Rebecca Peters and Mike Jackson meet with a conference attendee at their booth in the Exposition Hall. Photo by: Vanessa Gray
Brussels, Belgium, 3 September, 2015-GNRD-Brussels provided humanitarian aid to hundreds of stranded asylum seekers camped in front of the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees, situated next to Gare Du Nord in Brussels. Responding to the urgent crisis that has unfolded over the past week, GNRD staff distributed food supplies to the men, women, and children living in a makeshift refugee camp, as they waited to apply for reception at the government offices.
While asylum seekers normally receive immediate relief from FEDASIL, the Federal agency dedicated to welcoming refugees and stateless persons in Belgium, the high influx of applicants over the past two weeks has prevented the Commissariat from processing all requests on a daily basis. Officials have consequently resorted to a backlog system that allows applicants to return within one or two days.
But with a high proportion of asylum seekers arriving in Belgium with nothing but the clothes on their backs, many are unable secure food, personal hygiene items, and accommodation. The situation quickly devolved into a humanitarian crisis, with asylum seekers sleeping out of donated and makeshift tents in front of the Commissariat General for Refugees and Stateless Persons, living off of supplies provided by civil society organizations and the local community.
GNRD staff arrived at the camp Thursday afternoon with warm meals, water and other supplies, and teamed up with local aid workers to distribute them throughout the camp. GNRD also hired a set of barbers to provide free haircuts for asylum seekers, many of whom have gone months without the opportunity to access a hairdresser. GNRD is committed to protecting the humanity and livelihoods of all vulnerable groups, and firmly believes that all persons deserve the right to dignity and decent standard of living.
“What we are witnessing here is unacceptable,” said Ramadan Abu Jazar, Director of GNRD-Brussels. “These refugees have fled from fear, death and persecution, and risked their lives on incredibly dangerous routes to get here. They should not be living here in conditions worse than where they came from.”
Following the distribution of food, GNRD staff spoke with several asylum seekers to determine the most desperately needed forms of aid, and learn more about their individual situations. One man, Refaat Abu Sheikh, took his children and fled for his life from a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria, after witnessing the murder of five of his friends at the hands of an ISIS affiliated group. He embarked on a smugglers boat to Turkey, where they were deprived of food and water for two days, leading to the death of some passengers, including children. He remarked that upon finally arriving in Belgium, he had hoped that he would receive the rights and security that he couldn’t get back home. “I’m looking for stability,” he stated, “not for me, but for my children.”
GNRD will continue to closely monitor the developing situation of asylum seekers and refugees in Brussels, and has pledged to collaborate with the Belgian Red Cross to provide any necessary further assistance. While GNRD commends the ministry of immigration’s recent decision to rapidly create 5,000 extra places in federal migration centres for asylum seekers, it calls on government officials to also quickly expand the working capacity of the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees to avoid similar crises from reoccurring in the future. GNRD offices in Europe will also continue to pressure EU leaders to put an immediate end to the death and suffering of innocent migrants arriving at their borders.
- See more at: gnrd.net/seemore.php?id=1895#sthash.73jl1VJB.dpuf
Brussels, Belgium, 3 September, 2015-GNRD-Brussels provided humanitarian aid to hundreds of stranded asylum seekers camped in front of the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees, situated next to Gare Du Nord in Brussels. Responding to the urgent crisis that has unfolded over the past week, GNRD staff distributed food supplies to the men, women, and children living in a makeshift refugee camp, as they waited to apply for reception at the government offices.
While asylum seekers normally receive immediate relief from FEDASIL, the Federal agency dedicated to welcoming refugees and stateless persons in Belgium, the high influx of applicants over the past two weeks has prevented the Commissariat from processing all requests on a daily basis. Officials have consequently resorted to a backlog system that allows applicants to return within one or two days.
But with a high proportion of asylum seekers arriving in Belgium with nothing but the clothes on their backs, many are unable secure food, personal hygiene items, and accommodation. The situation quickly devolved into a humanitarian crisis, with asylum seekers sleeping out of donated and makeshift tents in front of the Commissariat General for Refugees and Stateless Persons, living off of supplies provided by civil society organizations and the local community.
GNRD staff arrived at the camp Thursday afternoon with warm meals, water and other supplies, and teamed up with local aid workers to distribute them throughout the camp. GNRD also hired a set of barbers to provide free haircuts for asylum seekers, many of whom have gone months without the opportunity to access a hairdresser. GNRD is committed to protecting the humanity and livelihoods of all vulnerable groups, and firmly believes that all persons deserve the right to dignity and decent standard of living.
“What we are witnessing here is unacceptable,” said Ramadan Abu Jazar, Director of GNRD-Brussels. “These refugees have fled from fear, death and persecution, and risked their lives on incredibly dangerous routes to get here. They should not be living here in conditions worse than where they came from.”
Following the distribution of food, GNRD staff spoke with several asylum seekers to determine the most desperately needed forms of aid, and learn more about their individual situations. One man, Refaat Abu Sheikh, took his children and fled for his life from a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria, after witnessing the murder of five of his friends at the hands of an ISIS affiliated group. He embarked on a smugglers boat to Turkey, where they were deprived of food and water for two days, leading to the death of some passengers, including children. He remarked that upon finally arriving in Belgium, he had hoped that he would receive the rights and security that he couldn’t get back home. “I’m looking for stability,” he stated, “not for me, but for my children.”
GNRD will continue to closely monitor the developing situation of asylum seekers and refugees in Brussels, and has pledged to collaborate with the Belgian Red Cross to provide any necessary further assistance. While GNRD commends the ministry of immigration’s recent decision to rapidly create 5,000 extra places in federal migration centres for asylum seekers, it calls on government officials to also quickly expand the working capacity of the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees to avoid similar crises from reoccurring in the future. GNRD offices in Europe will also continue to pressure EU leaders to put an immediate end to the death and suffering of innocent migrants arriving at their borders.
- See more at: gnrd.net/seemore.php?id=1895#sthash.73jl1VJB.dpuf
Brussels, Belgium, 3 September, 2015-GNRD-Brussels provided humanitarian aid to hundreds of stranded asylum seekers camped in front of the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees, situated next to Gare Du Nord in Brussels. Responding to the urgent crisis that has unfolded over the past week, GNRD staff distributed food supplies to the men, women, and children living in a makeshift refugee camp, as they waited to apply for reception at the government offices.
While asylum seekers normally receive immediate relief from FEDASIL, the Federal agency dedicated to welcoming refugees and stateless persons in Belgium, the high influx of applicants over the past two weeks has prevented the Commissariat from processing all requests on a daily basis. Officials have consequently resorted to a backlog system that allows applicants to return within one or two days.
But with a high proportion of asylum seekers arriving in Belgium with nothing but the clothes on their backs, many are unable secure food, personal hygiene items, and accommodation. The situation quickly devolved into a humanitarian crisis, with asylum seekers sleeping out of donated and makeshift tents in front of the Commissariat General for Refugees and Stateless Persons, living off of supplies provided by civil society organizations and the local community.
GNRD staff arrived at the camp Thursday afternoon with warm meals, water and other supplies, and teamed up with local aid workers to distribute them throughout the camp. GNRD also hired a set of barbers to provide free haircuts for asylum seekers, many of whom have gone months without the opportunity to access a hairdresser. GNRD is committed to protecting the humanity and livelihoods of all vulnerable groups, and firmly believes that all persons deserve the right to dignity and decent standard of living.
“What we are witnessing here is unacceptable,” said Ramadan Abu Jazar, Director of GNRD-Brussels. “These refugees have fled from fear, death and persecution, and risked their lives on incredibly dangerous routes to get here. They should not be living here in conditions worse than where they came from.”
Following the distribution of food, GNRD staff spoke with several asylum seekers to determine the most desperately needed forms of aid, and learn more about their individual situations. One man, Refaat Abu Sheikh, took his children and fled for his life from a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria, after witnessing the murder of five of his friends at the hands of an ISIS affiliated group. He embarked on a smugglers boat to Turkey, where they were deprived of food and water for two days, leading to the death of some passengers, including children. He remarked that upon finally arriving in Belgium, he had hoped that he would receive the rights and security that he couldn’t get back home. “I’m looking for stability,” he stated, “not for me, but for my children.”
GNRD will continue to closely monitor the developing situation of asylum seekers and refugees in Brussels, and has pledged to collaborate with the Belgian Red Cross to provide any necessary further assistance. While GNRD commends the ministry of immigration’s recent decision to rapidly create 5,000 extra places in federal migration centres for asylum seekers, it calls on government officials to also quickly expand the working capacity of the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees to avoid similar crises from reoccurring in the future. GNRD offices in Europe will also continue to pressure EU leaders to put an immediate end to the death and suffering of innocent migrants arriving at their borders.
- See more at: gnrd.net/seemore.php?id=1895#sthash.73jl1VJB.dpuf
Brussels, Belgium, 3 September, 2015-GNRD-Brussels provided humanitarian aid to hundreds of stranded asylum seekers camped in front of the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees, situated next to Gare Du Nord in Brussels. Responding to the urgent crisis that has unfolded over the past week, GNRD staff distributed food supplies to the men, women, and children living in a makeshift refugee camp, as they waited to apply for reception at the government offices.
While asylum seekers normally receive immediate relief from FEDASIL, the Federal agency dedicated to welcoming refugees and stateless persons in Belgium, the high influx of applicants over the past two weeks has prevented the Commissariat from processing all requests on a daily basis. Officials have consequently resorted to a backlog system that allows applicants to return within one or two days.
But with a high proportion of asylum seekers arriving in Belgium with nothing but the clothes on their backs, many are unable secure food, personal hygiene items, and accommodation. The situation quickly devolved into a humanitarian crisis, with asylum seekers sleeping out of donated and makeshift tents in front of the Commissariat General for Refugees and Stateless Persons, living off of supplies provided by civil society organizations and the local community.
GNRD staff arrived at the camp Thursday afternoon with warm meals, water and other supplies, and teamed up with local aid workers to distribute them throughout the camp. GNRD also hired a set of barbers to provide free haircuts for asylum seekers, many of whom have gone months without the opportunity to access a hairdresser. GNRD is committed to protecting the humanity and livelihoods of all vulnerable groups, and firmly believes that all persons deserve the right to dignity and decent standard of living.
“What we are witnessing here is unacceptable,” said Ramadan Abu Jazar, Director of GNRD-Brussels. “These refugees have fled from fear, death and persecution, and risked their lives on incredibly dangerous routes to get here. They should not be living here in conditions worse than where they came from.”
Following the distribution of food, GNRD staff spoke with several asylum seekers to determine the most desperately needed forms of aid, and learn more about their individual situations. One man, Refaat Abu Sheikh, took his children and fled for his life from a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria, after witnessing the murder of five of his friends at the hands of an ISIS affiliated group. He embarked on a smugglers boat to Turkey, where they were deprived of food and water for two days, leading to the death of some passengers, including children. He remarked that upon finally arriving in Belgium, he had hoped that he would receive the rights and security that he couldn’t get back home. “I’m looking for stability,” he stated, “not for me, but for my children.”
GNRD will continue to closely monitor the developing situation of asylum seekers and refugees in Brussels, and has pledged to collaborate with the Belgian Red Cross to provide any necessary further assistance. While GNRD commends the ministry of immigration’s recent decision to rapidly create 5,000 extra places in federal migration centres for asylum seekers, it calls on government officials to also quickly expand the working capacity of the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees to avoid similar crises from reoccurring in the future. GNRD offices in Europe will also continue to pressure EU leaders to put an immediate end to the death and suffering of innocent migrants arriving at their borders.
- See more at: gnrd.net/seemore.php?id=1895#sthash.73jl1VJB.dpuf
Brussels, Belgium, 3 September, 2015-GNRD-Brussels provided humanitarian aid to hundreds of stranded asylum seekers camped in front of the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees, situated next to Gare Du Nord in Brussels. Responding to the urgent crisis that has unfolded over the past week, GNRD staff distributed food supplies to the men, women, and children living in a makeshift refugee camp, as they waited to apply for reception at the government offices.
While asylum seekers normally receive immediate relief from FEDASIL, the Federal agency dedicated to welcoming refugees and stateless persons in Belgium, the high influx of applicants over the past two weeks has prevented the Commissariat from processing all requests on a daily basis. Officials have consequently resorted to a backlog system that allows applicants to return within one or two days.
But with a high proportion of asylum seekers arriving in Belgium with nothing but the clothes on their backs, many are unable secure food, personal hygiene items, and accommodation. The situation quickly devolved into a humanitarian crisis, with asylum seekers sleeping out of donated and makeshift tents in front of the Commissariat General for Refugees and Stateless Persons, living off of supplies provided by civil society organizations and the local community.
GNRD staff arrived at the camp Thursday afternoon with warm meals, water and other supplies, and teamed up with local aid workers to distribute them throughout the camp. GNRD also hired a set of barbers to provide free haircuts for asylum seekers, many of whom have gone months without the opportunity to access a hairdresser. GNRD is committed to protecting the humanity and livelihoods of all vulnerable groups, and firmly believes that all persons deserve the right to dignity and decent standard of living.
“What we are witnessing here is unacceptable,” said Ramadan Abu Jazar, Director of GNRD-Brussels. “These refugees have fled from fear, death and persecution, and risked their lives on incredibly dangerous routes to get here. They should not be living here in conditions worse than where they came from.”
Following the distribution of food, GNRD staff spoke with several asylum seekers to determine the most desperately needed forms of aid, and learn more about their individual situations. One man, Refaat Abu Sheikh, took his children and fled for his life from a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria, after witnessing the murder of five of his friends at the hands of an ISIS affiliated group. He embarked on a smugglers boat to Turkey, where they were deprived of food and water for two days, leading to the death of some passengers, including children. He remarked that upon finally arriving in Belgium, he had hoped that he would receive the rights and security that he couldn’t get back home. “I’m looking for stability,” he stated, “not for me, but for my children.”
GNRD will continue to closely monitor the developing situation of asylum seekers and refugees in Brussels, and has pledged to collaborate with the Belgian Red Cross to provide any necessary further assistance. While GNRD commends the ministry of immigration’s recent decision to rapidly create 5,000 extra places in federal migration centres for asylum seekers, it calls on government officials to also quickly expand the working capacity of the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees to avoid similar crises from reoccurring in the future. GNRD offices in Europe will also continue to pressure EU leaders to put an immediate end to the death and suffering of innocent migrants arriving at their borders.
- See more at: gnrd.net/seemore.php?id=1895#sthash.73jl1VJB.dpuf
Brussels, Belgium, 3 September, 2015-GNRD-Brussels provided humanitarian aid to hundreds of stranded asylum seekers camped in front of the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees, situated next to Gare Du Nord in Brussels. Responding to the urgent crisis that has unfolded over the past week, GNRD staff distributed food supplies to the men, women, and children living in a makeshift refugee camp, as they waited to apply for reception at the government offices.
While asylum seekers normally receive immediate relief from FEDASIL, the Federal agency dedicated to welcoming refugees and stateless persons in Belgium, the high influx of applicants over the past two weeks has prevented the Commissariat from processing all requests on a daily basis. Officials have consequently resorted to a backlog system that allows applicants to return within one or two days.
But with a high proportion of asylum seekers arriving in Belgium with nothing but the clothes on their backs, many are unable secure food, personal hygiene items, and accommodation. The situation quickly devolved into a humanitarian crisis, with asylum seekers sleeping out of donated and makeshift tents in front of the Commissariat General for Refugees and Stateless Persons, living off of supplies provided by civil society organizations and the local community.
GNRD staff arrived at the camp Thursday afternoon with warm meals, water and other supplies, and teamed up with local aid workers to distribute them throughout the camp. GNRD also hired a set of barbers to provide free haircuts for asylum seekers, many of whom have gone months without the opportunity to access a hairdresser. GNRD is committed to protecting the humanity and livelihoods of all vulnerable groups, and firmly believes that all persons deserve the right to dignity and decent standard of living.
“What we are witnessing here is unacceptable,” said Ramadan Abu Jazar, Director of GNRD-Brussels. “These refugees have fled from fear, death and persecution, and risked their lives on incredibly dangerous routes to get here. They should not be living here in conditions worse than where they came from.”
Following the distribution of food, GNRD staff spoke with several asylum seekers to determine the most desperately needed forms of aid, and learn more about their individual situations. One man, Refaat Abu Sheikh, took his children and fled for his life from a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria, after witnessing the murder of five of his friends at the hands of an ISIS affiliated group. He embarked on a smugglers boat to Turkey, where they were deprived of food and water for two days, leading to the death of some passengers, including children. He remarked that upon finally arriving in Belgium, he had hoped that he would receive the rights and security that he couldn’t get back home. “I’m looking for stability,” he stated, “not for me, but for my children.”
GNRD will continue to closely monitor the developing situation of asylum seekers and refugees in Brussels, and has pledged to collaborate with the Belgian Red Cross to provide any necessary further assistance. While GNRD commends the ministry of immigration’s recent decision to rapidly create 5,000 extra places in federal migration centres for asylum seekers, it calls on government officials to also quickly expand the working capacity of the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees to avoid similar crises from reoccurring in the future. GNRD offices in Europe will also continue to pressure EU leaders to put an immediate end to the death and suffering of innocent migrants arriving at their borders.
- See more at: gnrd.net/seemore.php?id=1895#sthash.73jl1VJB.dpuf
Brussels, Belgium, 3 September, 2015-GNRD-Brussels provided humanitarian aid to hundreds of stranded asylum seekers camped in front of the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees, situated next to Gare Du Nord in Brussels. Responding to the urgent crisis that has unfolded over the past week, GNRD staff distributed food supplies to the men, women, and children living in a makeshift refugee camp, as they waited to apply for reception at the government offices.
While asylum seekers normally receive immediate relief from FEDASIL, the Federal agency dedicated to welcoming refugees and stateless persons in Belgium, the high influx of applicants over the past two weeks has prevented the Commissariat from processing all requests on a daily basis. Officials have consequently resorted to a backlog system that allows applicants to return within one or two days.
But with a high proportion of asylum seekers arriving in Belgium with nothing but the clothes on their backs, many are unable secure food, personal hygiene items, and accommodation. The situation quickly devolved into a humanitarian crisis, with asylum seekers sleeping out of donated and makeshift tents in front of the Commissariat General for Refugees and Stateless Persons, living off of supplies provided by civil society organizations and the local community.
GNRD staff arrived at the camp Thursday afternoon with warm meals, water and other supplies, and teamed up with local aid workers to distribute them throughout the camp. GNRD also hired a set of barbers to provide free haircuts for asylum seekers, many of whom have gone months without the opportunity to access a hairdresser. GNRD is committed to protecting the humanity and livelihoods of all vulnerable groups, and firmly believes that all persons deserve the right to dignity and decent standard of living.
“What we are witnessing here is unacceptable,” said Ramadan Abu Jazar, Director of GNRD-Brussels. “These refugees have fled from fear, death and persecution, and risked their lives on incredibly dangerous routes to get here. They should not be living here in conditions worse than where they came from.”
Following the distribution of food, GNRD staff spoke with several asylum seekers to determine the most desperately needed forms of aid, and learn more about their individual situations. One man, Refaat Abu Sheikh, took his children and fled for his life from a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria, after witnessing the murder of five of his friends at the hands of an ISIS affiliated group. He embarked on a smugglers boat to Turkey, where they were deprived of food and water for two days, leading to the death of some passengers, including children. He remarked that upon finally arriving in Belgium, he had hoped that he would receive the rights and security that he couldn’t get back home. “I’m looking for stability,” he stated, “not for me, but for my children.”
GNRD will continue to closely monitor the developing situation of asylum seekers and refugees in Brussels, and has pledged to collaborate with the Belgian Red Cross to provide any necessary further assistance. While GNRD commends the ministry of immigration’s recent decision to rapidly create 5,000 extra places in federal migration centres for asylum seekers, it calls on government officials to also quickly expand the working capacity of the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees to avoid similar crises from reoccurring in the future. GNRD offices in Europe will also continue to pressure EU leaders to put an immediate end to the death and suffering of innocent migrants arriving at their borders.
- See more at: gnrd.net/seemore.php?id=1895#sthash.73jl1VJB.dpuf
Brussels, Belgium, 3 September, 2015-GNRD-Brussels provided humanitarian aid to hundreds of stranded asylum seekers camped in front of the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees, situated next to Gare Du Nord in Brussels. Responding to the urgent crisis that has unfolded over the past week, GNRD staff distributed food supplies to the men, women, and children living in a makeshift refugee camp, as they waited to apply for reception at the government offices.
While asylum seekers normally receive immediate relief from FEDASIL, the Federal agency dedicated to welcoming refugees and stateless persons in Belgium, the high influx of applicants over the past two weeks has prevented the Commissariat from processing all requests on a daily basis. Officials have consequently resorted to a backlog system that allows applicants to return within one or two days.
But with a high proportion of asylum seekers arriving in Belgium with nothing but the clothes on their backs, many are unable secure food, personal hygiene items, and accommodation. The situation quickly devolved into a humanitarian crisis, with asylum seekers sleeping out of donated and makeshift tents in front of the Commissariat General for Refugees and Stateless Persons, living off of supplies provided by civil society organizations and the local community.
GNRD staff arrived at the camp Thursday afternoon with warm meals, water and other supplies, and teamed up with local aid workers to distribute them throughout the camp. GNRD also hired a set of barbers to provide free haircuts for asylum seekers, many of whom have gone months without the opportunity to access a hairdresser. GNRD is committed to protecting the humanity and livelihoods of all vulnerable groups, and firmly believes that all persons deserve the right to dignity and decent standard of living.
“What we are witnessing here is unacceptable,” said Ramadan Abu Jazar, Director of GNRD-Brussels. “These refugees have fled from fear, death and persecution, and risked their lives on incredibly dangerous routes to get here. They should not be living here in conditions worse than where they came from.”
Following the distribution of food, GNRD staff spoke with several asylum seekers to determine the most desperately needed forms of aid, and learn more about their individual situations. One man, Refaat Abu Sheikh, took his children and fled for his life from a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria, after witnessing the murder of five of his friends at the hands of an ISIS affiliated group. He embarked on a smugglers boat to Turkey, where they were deprived of food and water for two days, leading to the death of some passengers, including children. He remarked that upon finally arriving in Belgium, he had hoped that he would receive the rights and security that he couldn’t get back home. “I’m looking for stability,” he stated, “not for me, but for my children.”
GNRD will continue to closely monitor the developing situation of asylum seekers and refugees in Brussels, and has pledged to collaborate with the Belgian Red Cross to provide any necessary further assistance. While GNRD commends the ministry of immigration’s recent decision to rapidly create 5,000 extra places in federal migration centres for asylum seekers, it calls on government officials to also quickly expand the working capacity of the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees to avoid similar crises from reoccurring in the future. GNRD offices in Europe will also continue to pressure EU leaders to put an immediate end to the death and suffering of innocent migrants arriving at their borders.
- See more at: gnrd.net/seemore.php?id=1895#sthash.73jl1VJB.dpuf
Brussels, Belgium, 3 September, 2015-GNRD-Brussels provided humanitarian aid to hundreds of stranded asylum seekers camped in front of the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees, situated next to Gare Du Nord in Brussels. Responding to the urgent crisis that has unfolded over the past week, GNRD staff distributed food supplies to the men, women, and children living in a makeshift refugee camp, as they waited to apply for reception at the government offices.
While asylum seekers normally receive immediate relief from FEDASIL, the Federal agency dedicated to welcoming refugees and stateless persons in Belgium, the high influx of applicants over the past two weeks has prevented the Commissariat from processing all requests on a daily basis. Officials have consequently resorted to a backlog system that allows applicants to return within one or two days.
But with a high proportion of asylum seekers arriving in Belgium with nothing but the clothes on their backs, many are unable secure food, personal hygiene items, and accommodation. The situation quickly devolved into a humanitarian crisis, with asylum seekers sleeping out of donated and makeshift tents in front of the Commissariat General for Refugees and Stateless Persons, living off of supplies provided by civil society organizations and the local community.
GNRD staff arrived at the camp Thursday afternoon with warm meals, water and other supplies, and teamed up with local aid workers to distribute them throughout the camp. GNRD also hired a set of barbers to provide free haircuts for asylum seekers, many of whom have gone months without the opportunity to access a hairdresser. GNRD is committed to protecting the humanity and livelihoods of all vulnerable groups, and firmly believes that all persons deserve the right to dignity and decent standard of living.
“What we are witnessing here is unacceptable,” said Ramadan Abu Jazar, Director of GNRD-Brussels. “These refugees have fled from fear, death and persecution, and risked their lives on incredibly dangerous routes to get here. They should not be living here in conditions worse than where they came from.”
Following the distribution of food, GNRD staff spoke with several asylum seekers to determine the most desperately needed forms of aid, and learn more about their individual situations. One man, Refaat Abu Sheikh, took his children and fled for his life from a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria, after witnessing the murder of five of his friends at the hands of an ISIS affiliated group. He embarked on a smugglers boat to Turkey, where they were deprived of food and water for two days, leading to the death of some passengers, including children. He remarked that upon finally arriving in Belgium, he had hoped that he would receive the rights and security that he couldn’t get back home. “I’m looking for stability,” he stated, “not for me, but for my children.”
GNRD will continue to closely monitor the developing situation of asylum seekers and refugees in Brussels, and has pledged to collaborate with the Belgian Red Cross to provide any necessary further assistance. While GNRD commends the ministry of immigration’s recent decision to rapidly create 5,000 extra places in federal migration centres for asylum seekers, it calls on government officials to also quickly expand the working capacity of the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees to avoid similar crises from reoccurring in the future. GNRD offices in Europe will also continue to pressure EU leaders to put an immediate end to the death and suffering of innocent migrants arriving at their borders.
- See more at: gnrd.net/seemore.php?id=1895#sthash.73jl1VJB.dpuf
Brussels, Belgium, 3 September, 2015-GNRD-Brussels provided humanitarian aid to hundreds of stranded asylum seekers camped in front of the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees, situated next to Gare Du Nord in Brussels. Responding to the urgent crisis that has unfolded over the past week, GNRD staff distributed food supplies to the men, women, and children living in a makeshift refugee camp, as they waited to apply for reception at the government offices.
While asylum seekers normally receive immediate relief from FEDASIL, the Federal agency dedicated to welcoming refugees and stateless persons in Belgium, the high influx of applicants over the past two weeks has prevented the Commissariat from processing all requests on a daily basis. Officials have consequently resorted to a backlog system that allows applicants to return within one or two days.
But with a high proportion of asylum seekers arriving in Belgium with nothing but the clothes on their backs, many are unable secure food, personal hygiene items, and accommodation. The situation quickly devolved into a humanitarian crisis, with asylum seekers sleeping out of donated and makeshift tents in front of the Commissariat General for Refugees and Stateless Persons, living off of supplies provided by civil society organizations and the local community.
GNRD staff arrived at the camp Thursday afternoon with warm meals, water and other supplies, and teamed up with local aid workers to distribute them throughout the camp. GNRD also hired a set of barbers to provide free haircuts for asylum seekers, many of whom have gone months without the opportunity to access a hairdresser. GNRD is committed to protecting the humanity and livelihoods of all vulnerable groups, and firmly believes that all persons deserve the right to dignity and decent standard of living.
“What we are witnessing here is unacceptable,” said Ramadan Abu Jazar, Director of GNRD-Brussels. “These refugees have fled from fear, death and persecution, and risked their lives on incredibly dangerous routes to get here. They should not be living here in conditions worse than where they came from.”
Following the distribution of food, GNRD staff spoke with several asylum seekers to determine the most desperately needed forms of aid, and learn more about their individual situations. One man, Refaat Abu Sheikh, took his children and fled for his life from a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria, after witnessing the murder of five of his friends at the hands of an ISIS affiliated group. He embarked on a smugglers boat to Turkey, where they were deprived of food and water for two days, leading to the death of some passengers, including children. He remarked that upon finally arriving in Belgium, he had hoped that he would receive the rights and security that he couldn’t get back home. “I’m looking for stability,” he stated, “not for me, but for my children.”
GNRD will continue to closely monitor the developing situation of asylum seekers and refugees in Brussels, and has pledged to collaborate with the Belgian Red Cross to provide any necessary further assistance. While GNRD commends the ministry of immigration’s recent decision to rapidly create 5,000 extra places in federal migration centres for asylum seekers, it calls on government officials to also quickly expand the working capacity of the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees to avoid similar crises from reoccurring in the future. GNRD offices in Europe will also continue to pressure EU leaders to put an immediate end to the death and suffering of innocent migrants arriving at their borders.
- See more at: gnrd.net/seemore.php?id=1895#sthash.73jl1VJB.dpuf
Brussels, Belgium, 3 September, 2015-GNRD-Brussels provided humanitarian aid to hundreds of stranded asylum seekers camped in front of the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees, situated next to Gare Du Nord in Brussels. Responding to the urgent crisis that has unfolded over the past week, GNRD staff distributed food supplies to the men, women, and children living in a makeshift refugee camp, as they waited to apply for reception at the government offices.
While asylum seekers normally receive immediate relief from FEDASIL, the Federal agency dedicated to welcoming refugees and stateless persons in Belgium, the high influx of applicants over the past two weeks has prevented the Commissariat from processing all requests on a daily basis. Officials have consequently resorted to a backlog system that allows applicants to return within one or two days.
But with a high proportion of asylum seekers arriving in Belgium with nothing but the clothes on their backs, many are unable secure food, personal hygiene items, and accommodation. The situation quickly devolved into a humanitarian crisis, with asylum seekers sleeping out of donated and makeshift tents in front of the Commissariat General for Refugees and Stateless Persons, living off of supplies provided by civil society organizations and the local community.
GNRD staff arrived at the camp Thursday afternoon with warm meals, water and other supplies, and teamed up with local aid workers to distribute them throughout the camp. GNRD also hired a set of barbers to provide free haircuts for asylum seekers, many of whom have gone months without the opportunity to access a hairdresser. GNRD is committed to protecting the humanity and livelihoods of all vulnerable groups, and firmly believes that all persons deserve the right to dignity and decent standard of living.
“What we are witnessing here is unacceptable,” said Ramadan Abu Jazar, Director of GNRD-Brussels. “These refugees have fled from fear, death and persecution, and risked their lives on incredibly dangerous routes to get here. They should not be living here in conditions worse than where they came from.”
Following the distribution of food, GNRD staff spoke with several asylum seekers to determine the most desperately needed forms of aid, and learn more about their individual situations. One man, Refaat Abu Sheikh, took his children and fled for his life from a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria, after witnessing the murder of five of his friends at the hands of an ISIS affiliated group. He embarked on a smugglers boat to Turkey, where they were deprived of food and water for two days, leading to the death of some passengers, including children. He remarked that upon finally arriving in Belgium, he had hoped that he would receive the rights and security that he couldn’t get back home. “I’m looking for stability,” he stated, “not for me, but for my children.”
GNRD will continue to closely monitor the developing situation of asylum seekers and refugees in Brussels, and has pledged to collaborate with the Belgian Red Cross to provide any necessary further assistance. While GNRD commends the ministry of immigration’s recent decision to rapidly create 5,000 extra places in federal migration centres for asylum seekers, it calls on government officials to also quickly expand the working capacity of the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees to avoid similar crises from reoccurring in the future. GNRD offices in Europe will also continue to pressure EU leaders to put an immediate end to the death and suffering of innocent migrants arriving at their borders.
- See more at: gnrd.net/seemore.php?id=1895#sthash.73jl1VJB.dpuf
Brussels, Belgium, 3 September, 2015-GNRD-Brussels provided humanitarian aid to hundreds of stranded asylum seekers camped in front of the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees, situated next to Gare Du Nord in Brussels. Responding to the urgent crisis that has unfolded over the past week, GNRD staff distributed food supplies to the men, women, and children living in a makeshift refugee camp, as they waited to apply for reception at the government offices.
While asylum seekers normally receive immediate relief from FEDASIL, the Federal agency dedicated to welcoming refugees and stateless persons in Belgium, the high influx of applicants over the past two weeks has prevented the Commissariat from processing all requests on a daily basis. Officials have consequently resorted to a backlog system that allows applicants to return within one or two days.
But with a high proportion of asylum seekers arriving in Belgium with nothing but the clothes on their backs, many are unable secure food, personal hygiene items, and accommodation. The situation quickly devolved into a humanitarian crisis, with asylum seekers sleeping out of donated and makeshift tents in front of the Commissariat General for Refugees and Stateless Persons, living off of supplies provided by civil society organizations and the local community.
GNRD staff arrived at the camp Thursday afternoon with warm meals, water and other supplies, and teamed up with local aid workers to distribute them throughout the camp. GNRD also hired a set of barbers to provide free haircuts for asylum seekers, many of whom have gone months without the opportunity to access a hairdresser. GNRD is committed to protecting the humanity and livelihoods of all vulnerable groups, and firmly believes that all persons deserve the right to dignity and decent standard of living.
“What we are witnessing here is unacceptable,” said Ramadan Abu Jazar, Director of GNRD-Brussels. “These refugees have fled from fear, death and persecution, and risked their lives on incredibly dangerous routes to get here. They should not be living here in conditions worse than where they came from.”
Following the distribution of food, GNRD staff spoke with several asylum seekers to determine the most desperately needed forms of aid, and learn more about their individual situations. One man, Refaat Abu Sheikh, took his children and fled for his life from a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria, after witnessing the murder of five of his friends at the hands of an ISIS affiliated group. He embarked on a smugglers boat to Turkey, where they were deprived of food and water for two days, leading to the death of some passengers, including children. He remarked that upon finally arriving in Belgium, he had hoped that he would receive the rights and security that he couldn’t get back home. “I’m looking for stability,” he stated, “not for me, but for my children.”
GNRD will continue to closely monitor the developing situation of asylum seekers and refugees in Brussels, and has pledged to collaborate with the Belgian Red Cross to provide any necessary further assistance. While GNRD commends the ministry of immigration’s recent decision to rapidly create 5,000 extra places in federal migration centres for asylum seekers, it calls on government officials to also quickly expand the working capacity of the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees to avoid similar crises from reoccurring in the future. GNRD offices in Europe will also continue to pressure EU leaders to put an immediate end to the death and suffering of innocent migrants arriving at their borders.
- See more at: gnrd.net/seemore.php?id=1895#sthash.73jl1VJB.dpuf
Brussels, Belgium, 3 September, 2015-GNRD-Brussels provided humanitarian aid to hundreds of stranded asylum seekers camped in front of the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees, situated next to Gare Du Nord in Brussels. Responding to the urgent crisis that has unfolded over the past week, GNRD staff distributed food supplies to the men, women, and children living in a makeshift refugee camp, as they waited to apply for reception at the government offices.
While asylum seekers normally receive immediate relief from FEDASIL, the Federal agency dedicated to welcoming refugees and stateless persons in Belgium, the high influx of applicants over the past two weeks has prevented the Commissariat from processing all requests on a daily basis. Officials have consequently resorted to a backlog system that allows applicants to return within one or two days.
But with a high proportion of asylum seekers arriving in Belgium with nothing but the clothes on their backs, many are unable secure food, personal hygiene items, and accommodation. The situation quickly devolved into a humanitarian crisis, with asylum seekers sleeping out of donated and makeshift tents in front of the Commissariat General for Refugees and Stateless Persons, living off of supplies provided by civil society organizations and the local community.
GNRD staff arrived at the camp Thursday afternoon with warm meals, water and other supplies, and teamed up with local aid workers to distribute them throughout the camp. GNRD also hired a set of barbers to provide free haircuts for asylum seekers, many of whom have gone months without the opportunity to access a hairdresser. GNRD is committed to protecting the humanity and livelihoods of all vulnerable groups, and firmly believes that all persons deserve the right to dignity and decent standard of living.
“What we are witnessing here is unacceptable,” said Ramadan Abu Jazar, Director of GNRD-Brussels. “These refugees have fled from fear, death and persecution, and risked their lives on incredibly dangerous routes to get here. They should not be living here in conditions worse than where they came from.”
Following the distribution of food, GNRD staff spoke with several asylum seekers to determine the most desperately needed forms of aid, and learn more about their individual situations. One man, Refaat Abu Sheikh, took his children and fled for his life from a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria, after witnessing the murder of five of his friends at the hands of an ISIS affiliated group. He embarked on a smugglers boat to Turkey, where they were deprived of food and water for two days, leading to the death of some passengers, including children. He remarked that upon finally arriving in Belgium, he had hoped that he would receive the rights and security that he couldn’t get back home. “I’m looking for stability,” he stated, “not for me, but for my children.”
GNRD will continue to closely monitor the developing situation of asylum seekers and refugees in Brussels, and has pledged to collaborate with the Belgian Red Cross to provide any necessary further assistance. While GNRD commends the ministry of immigration’s recent decision to rapidly create 5,000 extra places in federal migration centres for asylum seekers, it calls on government officials to also quickly expand the working capacity of the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees to avoid similar crises from reoccurring in the future. GNRD offices in Europe will also continue to pressure EU leaders to put an immediate end to the death and suffering of innocent migrants arriving at their borders.
- See more at: gnrd.net/seemore.php?id=1895#sthash.73jl1VJB.dpuf
Brussels, Belgium, 3 September, 2015-GNRD-Brussels provided humanitarian aid to hundreds of stranded asylum seekers camped in front of the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees, situated next to Gare Du Nord in Brussels. Responding to the urgent crisis that has unfolded over the past week, GNRD staff distributed food supplies to the men, women, and children living in a makeshift refugee camp, as they waited to apply for reception at the government offices.
While asylum seekers normally receive immediate relief from FEDASIL, the Federal agency dedicated to welcoming refugees and stateless persons in Belgium, the high influx of applicants over the past two weeks has prevented the Commissariat from processing all requests on a daily basis. Officials have consequently resorted to a backlog system that allows applicants to return within one or two days.
But with a high proportion of asylum seekers arriving in Belgium with nothing but the clothes on their backs, many are unable secure food, personal hygiene items, and accommodation. The situation quickly devolved into a humanitarian crisis, with asylum seekers sleeping out of donated and makeshift tents in front of the Commissariat General for Refugees and Stateless Persons, living off of supplies provided by civil society organizations and the local community.
GNRD staff arrived at the camp Thursday afternoon with warm meals, water and other supplies, and teamed up with local aid workers to distribute them throughout the camp. GNRD also hired a set of barbers to provide free haircuts for asylum seekers, many of whom have gone months without the opportunity to access a hairdresser. GNRD is committed to protecting the humanity and livelihoods of all vulnerable groups, and firmly believes that all persons deserve the right to dignity and decent standard of living.
“What we are witnessing here is unacceptable,” said Ramadan Abu Jazar, Director of GNRD-Brussels. “These refugees have fled from fear, death and persecution, and risked their lives on incredibly dangerous routes to get here. They should not be living here in conditions worse than where they came from.”
Following the distribution of food, GNRD staff spoke with several asylum seekers to determine the most desperately needed forms of aid, and learn more about their individual situations. One man, Refaat Abu Sheikh, took his children and fled for his life from a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria, after witnessing the murder of five of his friends at the hands of an ISIS affiliated group. He embarked on a smugglers boat to Turkey, where they were deprived of food and water for two days, leading to the death of some passengers, including children. He remarked that upon finally arriving in Belgium, he had hoped that he would receive the rights and security that he couldn’t get back home. “I’m looking for stability,” he stated, “not for me, but for my children.”
GNRD will continue to closely monitor the developing situation of asylum seekers and refugees in Brussels, and has pledged to collaborate with the Belgian Red Cross to provide any necessary further assistance. While GNRD commends the ministry of immigration’s recent decision to rapidly create 5,000 extra places in federal migration centres for asylum seekers, it calls on government officials to also quickly expand the working capacity of the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees to avoid similar crises from reoccurring in the future. GNRD offices in Europe will also continue to pressure EU leaders to put an immediate end to the death and suffering of innocent migrants arriving at their borders.
- See more at: gnrd.net/seemore.php?id=1895#sthash.73jl1VJB.dpuf