Do more to make refugees welcome

MY DICTIONARY defines refugee as “a person who has fled from some danger or problem, esp. political persecution”. In practice these are escaping full blown torture. And it defines refuge as, “shelter or protection, as from the weather or danger or any place, person, action, or thing that offers protection, help or relief”.

Bad enough: the current cost of living crisis is affecting us all, but many refugees are expected to live on £5 a day. This is abominable, that people who need our help are basically living on bread and water. One small thing goes wrong and they are stuffed. No one should be forced to choose between heating and eating.

For torture survivors, the cost-ofliving crisis is life threatening. These people are often in dire need of therapy and do not necessarily speak English, so need an expert translator. It is our Christian duty to help these refugees.

Now, on top, the anti-refugee Nationality and Borders Bill is currently going through Parliament. If Boris Johnson is serious about standing with Ukraine, he should cancel his plans to criminalise Ukrainians and other refugees.

Most people in Wales want to welcome people seeking safety, and the Government must be made to understand. Thousands of us (almost 200,000) have already spoken out about the Nationality and Borders Bill. If this wicked Bill is passed it must be reversed, so let us stand together in solidarity with refugees and truly give them refuge. People fleeing from torture, war and persecution deserve our compassion and should not be oppressed.