The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
‘We must support asylum seekers during Covid Crisis’
WITH over 500 asylum seekers living in seven direct provision centres across the county, there has never been a greater need to support those who are thousands of miles away from their home countries. They are faced with language barriers, and forced to live often in cramped and crowded conditions, unsure and afraid of the current pandemic and of their future as they seek international protection in the country.
This week Tralee International Resource Centre (TIRC) hopes to make a difference to the lives of asylum seekers by delivering care packages to Atlas House – where there are up to 100 asylum seekers living – and delivering children’s activities to Johnston Marina where 85 asylum seekers are living, including children.
“At this frightening time for all, it is particularly difficult for asylum seekers as they live in confined spaces, and are also worried about their families in their home countries. Also they have lost the services of our centre, where we would have been open to meet and discuss issues with them, provide them with English classes or they could attend our women’s group, homework club, parent and toddler group or many other activities,” said co-ordinator Mary Carroll.
“We wanted to do something to let the asylum seekers know that we are still here to support them and are thinking of them, and as part of this we delivered a care package to all asylum seekers with the support of Independent Irish Health Foods, who donated funds for the packs. We are very grateful to Independent Irish Health Foods who support our annual Christmas box for each asylum seeker, and they have come on aboard again at this emergency time.”
TIRC is also calling on local families to write to asylum seekers residing in Direct Provision centres in Kerry to let them know they are thinking of them.
“As well as this tangible support, we want to ask local families to consider writing a little note or letter to them.
“At this surreal time for us all, it can be good to ask people to show visible acts of kindness to help others and to feel like they are doing something tangible to support others. They can send the letter to us in Tralee International Resource Centre, 13-14 St Patrick’s Bungalows, Boherbee, Tralee, and we will pass them on.
“Some ideas for your letter could include talking about your hobbies, the things you like doing as a family, what you have been doing since school closed, your favourite foods, your family, and maybe even draw a picture. To protect privacy we ask that you only use your first names and do not put your address or contact details on the letter. Letters in Arabic or other languages are also welcome.”
The centres in Kerry include Atlas House, Linden House and Park Lodge in Killarney; Atlantic Lodge in Kenmare; Atlas House and Johnson Marina in Tralee; and Skellig Star in Cahersiveen.
Meanwhile, the condition in which these asylum seekers are forced to live has been raised as a growing public health concern. In many centres across the country, asylum seekers are living to two to three and more in a room. Such conditions are considered a ‘powder keg’ for the spread of the virus.
“This is a public health issue. To have packed centres is just crazy. There is no way to flatten the curve and to impose social distancing,” explains Graham Clifford of Irish Sanctuary Runners. Mr Clifford, who is from Glenbeigh, is among those who has called for asylum seekers to be moved to empty hotels and other accommodation to avoid a cluster situation if COVID-19 were to be confirmed in any centre.
“There should be one person to a room. It thins out the centre, thereby slowing down the spread,” he said.
“Asylum seekers are no more likely to get it. It is the conditions in which they live. If you put 100 people living in any hotel it would be the same.”
The Department of Justice have confirmed that 650 more beds are to be made available nationwide to move to asylum seekers out of crowded centres. Asylum seekers from Linden House in Killarney and Atlantic Lodge in Kenmare are among those who will be moved to other locations to provide more space in these centres. This decision to move asylum seekers adds to the stress already being experienced by many as they now have to move away from the communities they have settled in. The Skellig Star Hotel in Cahersiveen was opened in order to move asylum seekers who had been living in hotels to other locations. Some health care workers are also living in Direct Provision centres.
The Government has called on the asylum seekers to use their skills and work on the front-line, but such a move could further create problems in DP centres.
“Such workers are going from a high-risk area to a high-risk area. It is connecting cluster and very dangerous... Health-care workers should be moved out, tested and given clearance, and can return to work, which will benefit us all,” said Mr Clifford.
“We are fighting this together. “