From Zimbabwe, Iran and Sudan ‘It wasn’t safe for me there ... my life had been under threat due to my politics’
What are the stories behind those who have fled conflict in their own countries for a fresh start in Northern Ireland? As Refugee Week continues, Laurence White talks to three people who have been helped by the Red Cross
THEY are people who have fled persecution in their homeland and sought a new life here. It is difficult to know how many refugees are living in the province — Home Office figures combine Northern Ireland with Scotland — but three years ago it was reported that a record 500 people had applied for refugee status here.
A number of events are being held this week to mark Refugee Week and one of the organisations playing a major role is the Red Cross, which claims to be the only body supporting refugees at every stage of their journey — in their homeland, in transit and at their final destination.
Ann Marie White, refugee support operations manager in Northern Ireland, says: “We see refugees from many countries here in Northern Ireland.
Every single person has a different story in terms of what they have been through, how they are coping with enormous challenges in their lives and what they hope for the future.
“The very fact that a refugee has made the huge step to leave their home country in search of a better future and has had the fortitude to endure a lengthy and complex asylum system marks them out as resilient and optimistic human beings.
“With the right support, each of them has a contribution to make to the community in Northern Ireland.”
Last year the Red Cross supported around 1,000 refugees and asylum seekers in Northern Ireland with a range of problems. Here they tell us their stories.
ILEFT my native Zimbabwe because of the political situation there. My life had been threatened and it was not safe for me to stay there anymore. I was threatened because of my political activities.
I was a primary school teacher in Zimbabwe and when I decided it was time to leave I decided to come to Northern Ireland. A younger brother who had also fled in fear was already living there. Certainly when I arrived in Northern Ireland in October 2002 I found a country very different from my native land. It was cold and wet and the streets seem deserted to me. In Zimbabwe the streets were always teeming with people.
I was seeking political asylum in Northern Ireland and in February 2003 I was granted refugee status. I had to prove to the Home Office that I was fleeing persecution in my home country.
I was not allowed to work until I was given refugee status, and that can make life very difficult.
It also means that when you want to bring your family over you don’t have any money to pay for their fares. You will have used up your savings awaiting refugee status.
That is why I am a big supporter of the Red Cross. They were very helpful in making the family reunion scheme work. They helped bring my family over from Zimbabwe, allowing us to be reunited.
I had worked all my life and not being able to apply for a job in Northern Ireland until I got refugee status was difficult.
I volunteered with the Northern Ireland Council for Ethnic Minorities, who were auditing the skills of minority populations in the province.
I then began volunteering with the Law Centre’s immigration law support service, and then became a training development worker with NICEM.
I found I was dealing with a lot of equality and legal issues so I decided to do a law degree through the Open University. That took me four years and it was difficult combining studies with my day-to-day work.
My degree and experience led to me getting a full-time paid job with the Law Centre and now I am one of the voices people hear when they ring up for advice on welfare or benefits issues. I also represent clients at tribunals (a co-worker says the Law Centre often deals with complex cases which other free advice organisations cannot handle).
I have really enjoyed my time in Northern Ireland and the people have been friendly and welcoming.
One day I would like to go back to my home country if the situation allows it as my mother, sister and extended family still live there, but I have no plans to leave Northern Ireland in the foreseeable future.
I love my job and find it very fulfilling working for a social justice organisation and being able to help people who may be experiencing difficulties.”
With the right support, each one of them has a contribution to make to the community here