Blog
Read the latest writing from our field visits across Europe and hear from those who are at the heart of the refugee crisis.
News, Stories, Publications
Here you can discover firsthand refugee stories, get first hand updates from the ground across Europe, connect with the people behind the numbers through their stories and catch up on our latest insights on the crisis – all in one place.
UNHCR’s Filippo Grandi on Refugee Protection and Changing the Narrative
On 18 March 2025, CEO Amber Bauer and Trustee Laura Darwish saw Filippo Grandi, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), deliver a compelling talk at King’s College London titled...
Inspiring Interfaith Iftar at St Olave’s School Raises £2k for forRefugees
Last night, I had the privilege of attending a truly special Interfaith Iftar at St Olav's Boys School. Students of Muslim, Christian, Jewish and Hindu faiths came together in the spirit of unity,...
Syrian Mama recognises Refugee Biriyani & Bananas Commitment on Rhodes, Greece
As a Syrian mother seeking refuge on the island of Rhodes, Greece, my journey has been fraught with challenges and uncertainty. Fleeing the turmoil of my homeland, I finally made it to Greece with...
Muslims Remember Refugees with Zakat and Sadaqah this Ramadan
Show Refugees they are not alone this Ramadan Ramadan Mubarak! As the holy month of Ramadan approaches we extend our heartfelt wishes to you and your loved ones. This sacred time is for reflection,...
forRefugees Website Certified Climate Positive in 2025
At forRefugees supporting people is at the heart of everything we do, but we also believe in protecting the planet! So we’re thrilled to receive our 2025 Climate Positive Certificate from our...
forRefugees Accredited by CAF America for another 3 years
Accredited CAF America Organization We’re proud to share that forRefugees has been officially recognized as a CAF International Validated Organization! This credential is more than just a badge it’s...
What brings Refugees to the Lithuanian Border?
The Refugee Crisis at the Lithuania-Belarus Border: A Humanitarian Perspective The humanitarian crisis at the Lithuania-Belarus border remains an urgent issue despite fluctuating media attention. In...
Teenagers Get Creative with Kaleidoscope in Calais
I never imagined that a simple art session could make me feel safe again. But when Kaleidoscope asked us to think about places that bring us comfort and create an art installation around that idea,...
Chios Island’s Inhospitable Landscape
Perspective. This is the Greek island of Chios as I left on Saturday morning. Contrary to the lively capital, Chios Town, I saw how barren, inhospitable and sparsely populated the island is. A quick...
Why We’re Calling for Safe and Documented Routes
What safe and documented routes to the UK exist for refugees? Safe and documented routes are authorised immigration arrangements which permit entry to another country. There are very few safe,...
A Tragedy You Probably Haven’t Heard About
Three little girls Asma (10), Yosru (6) and Mena (4) are laid to rest in these graves. The young sisters died in the Mediterranean on 8 April 2024. Their deaths are a tragedy you probably didn’t...
Alex Broniewski Joins forRefugees Trustee Team!
We’re delighted to welcome Alex Broniewski to the forRefugees trustee board! As a social media strategist and paid ads manager with extensive experience working with nonprofits, Alex brings a wealth...
Food Packs for 1300 on Chios island, Greece
I'm on the Greek island of Chios to volunteer for a week with our partner Refugee Biriyani and Bananas (RBB). Ruhi, the RBB Founder/CEO, needed an extra van driver for the later part of the 10 day...
Iyad helped by Fenix Legal Aid in Greece
When the team at Fenix Humanitarian Legal Aid first met Iyad his situation broke their heart. Iyad is a 27-year-old man from Morocco. In his home country he'd been a political activist advocating...
Your Donations Doubled and £55k Delivered with The Big Give 2024
How you Helped Us Smash our £50,000 Target We asked for your support and, once again, you delivered beyond expectations. During our Big Give Christmas Challenge an incredible 49 donations, ranging...
How ‘Peace of Cake’ United Us on Mitzvah Day
Today forRefugees CEO Amber and her husband Fred joined the Peace of Cake event at Bromley Reform Synagogue hosted on Mitzvah Day. Mitzvah is an annual event, based in the Jewish community but with...
Join forRefugees on BlueSky (we left Twitter in 2022)
At forRefugees our mission is rooted in humanity, hope and solidarity. That’s why we made the decision to leave the platform formerly known as Twitter in November 2022. As the platform’s direction...
Save the Date for DOUBLE Donations
From 12 Noon on Tuesday 3 December to 10 December 2024 your donations to forRefugees will be doubled by The Big Give. This means every pound you give will go twice as far in bringing critical support to refugees this winter. Our goal is to raise £50,000—and we need your help to make it happen.
New Together for Refugees Eco Shop Launches
This Christmas give gifts that care as much as you do with our brand-new Together forRefugees collection! Thoughtfully designed and sustainably produced every purchase helps provide vital aid to...
The Summer 2024 Riots in the UK
What happened in Stockport on 29th July 2024? On 29th July 2024, in Southport in the North of England, three young schoolchildren (Bebe King, (6), Elsie Dot Stancombe (7) and Alice da Silva Aguiar...
Read our Latest Annual Report and tell us what you think!
A small team of passionate people can achieve incredible things. We’re proud to announce the publication of our Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2024. This...
Will anyone look back in a 100 years time?
This evening Amber and I took a walk to the old Vathy camp on Samos island. She showed me where the tents used to be, the registration areas, the washrooms. Little effort has been made to clean up...
Kindness at Selfm.aid Skills Factory for Refugees in Samos
Now I have your attention with the image of boxer shorts emblazoned with "I Have Skills", welcome to The Skills Factory 2.0! This inspiring initiative is changing lives on the Greek island of Samos,...
Why we Must Keep Supporting in Greece
As wars, dictatorships and environmental disasters continue to ravage countries worldwide, more and more people are going to seek safety in Europe. The influx of refugees arriving via Greece isn’t a...
New Reality for 10,000’s Refugees in Greece
You can see by our big smiles in the photos that the people we met and the forRefugees partner projects we visited have been nothing short of inspiring. We moved from project to project feeling...
CRIBS Ensures New Refugee Mums are Supported
Did you know that a staggering 60% of Greek hospital births are c-sections? Many women pretty much get talked into it by the doctors and nurses, as Greek hospitals are highly understaffed and...
The Fáilte Centre, “welcome” in Irish, is a calm, safe space
With Love we can do anything. Never listen to those that say “No” - from the visitor and volunteer wall at NGO The Fáilte Centre in Athens (‘welcome’ in Irish). Run by the wonderful Colleen...
Saffron Kitchen’s Flavoursome and Delicious Meals Feed 500
When that new deep fryer just hits the spot! A couple of months ago forRefugees funded this new commercial deep fryer to the Saffron Kitchen Project, thanks to all your generous donations. If...
The ANKAA Project Provides Training and Education for Refugees in Athens
We sat down for a catch up with Line from the wonderful ANKAA Project and she showed us around the workshop. This is another fantastic project of vocational and educational training in the centre of...
Lighthouse Relief’s Fight for Refugee Support in Athens Amid Rising Costs
Whilst I was in Athens with fellow Trustee and CEO Amber, we caught up with Chloe and the team at NGO Lighthouse Relief. They have been running a sports programme for the kids of Ritsona camp, and...
Amurtel’s Calm and Safe Haven Helping 400 Women a Month
On our first day in Athens we met with Georgia and Rana from Amurtel - a mother and baby support group in Athens. We had a really warm welcome from our new partners, who we recently supplied with a...
How Glocal Roots Brings Humanity to 1800 Refugees in Kos
Fellow trustee Ingrid and I spent an inspiring day with Sara and her team from Glocal Roots, one of our amazing partners, and the only NGO on the Greek island of Kos. While many may know Kos as a...
Edinburgh KiltWalk 2024 Raises £5k for forRefugees!
What a day! On Sunday 15 September a mighty team of over-30s (ok, mostly over-40s!), alongside our four-legged superstar Moose the dog, donned our kilts and took on the Edinburgh KiltWalk 2024 - our...
Safety and Protection from A.Ss.I.S.T. and Action for Women
Based on true stories, these anonymised first-person accounts, and related images, shine a spotlight on real people’s journeys as refugees and the critical role our partner NGOs have played in their...
Kamila’s an Aspiring Accountant with Habibi Center Support
Based on true stories, these anonymised first-person accounts, and related images, shine a spotlight on real people’s journeys as refugees and the critical role our partner NGOs have played in their...
Comfort and Support from Vents Contraire
Based on true stories, these anonymised first-person accounts, and related images, shine a spotlight on real people’s journeys as refugees and the critical role our partner NGOs have played in their...
The impact of incorrect age assessments for minors
Introduction When young people arrive in the UK seeking refuge, they need to be able to prove how old they are as there are significant differences in the rights of people depending on their age....
Rwanda Act: update following the passing of the bill
What is the Government planning to do next? Following the passing of the Rwanda Bill on 22nd April, the Government plans to send the first plane to Rwanda in July. Detention facilities have been...
Asylum Seekers and the Right to Work in the UK
The Ban on the Right to Work | 8th May 2024 “Only last week, new statistics showed that children in London who don’t have English as a first language were outperforming the national average at GCSE....
Finding Hope in Despair: Reflections on Our Visit to Greece
“Progressive change must come from the way we live out our lives, and the communities we are a part of in whichever capacity. And I’m full of hope in knowing that there are so many other people...
What you need to know about the UK Rwanda Bill
Chris McQuillan Joins forRefugees Trustee Team!
We are thrilled to welcome Chris McQuillan to the forRefugees trustee board! With a background in contracts and procurement management, Chris brings in-depth experience fundraising for different...
Bringing joy to a Refugee Camp during Ramadan
“With food poverty running rampant in Vial refugee camp on Chios island and in Athens, we want to help people without the means to prepare a delicious meal for their families...
Behind the Scenes with Attika Human Support, Athens
Not just us, but everyone on the ground in Greece supporting Refugees has noticed a big drop in funds and aid the past couple of years. We can no longer take for granted that money will come in to support vulnerable people. But the needs here remain just as great.
How and why the UK asylum system needs urgent reform
The UK’s asylum system is in a state of crisis. Despite the recent change in government, urgent reforms are needed to address the chaos and dysfunction that have plagued it for years. Although...
The refugee crisis in the Balkans is marked by violence, suffering, and neglect.
The Balkan Route is one of the most perilous migration routes for refugees. In Bosnia, Serbia, and Bulgaria, thousands of displaced people endure brutal conditions – not least dangerous border...
Oppression shapes refugee life in Northern France
The port towns of Northern France from Dunkirk and Calais to Caen and Ouistreham, mark the UK border. Those present as refugees have one goal and that’s to reach the UK. Their reasons are...
The Harsh Reality for Refugees in Greece
Life for refugees in Greece is incredibly challenging. The journey to safety is dangerous and often life-threatening. Many are forced to rely on smugglers to...
B’s Journey from Afghanistan – Long Read
Moving Stories – “I was born in Kandahar, a Southern province of Afghanistan. My mother is from Kabul and my father from the Kandahar region. They met when my father was in Kabul for work. It was a marriage of love, not an arranged marriage…
Haben’s Journey from Eritrea – Long Read
I grew up in Asmara, the capital city of Eritrea, with my family of five. I have an older brother and a younger sister. My mother worked at a market stall her whole life. Growing up we were a pretty normal family like everyone else in Eritrea – we’d go to school, come home and eat something and then we would go out and play football or swim in the river. I had a lot of friends and we would have sleep overs or hang out together.
My First Visit to the Refugee Camps in N France by forRefugees Chair of Trustees
“It’s freezing”, these were the words I used to greet Amber, CEO of forRefugees and San (former Trustee and Amber’s best friend), at 8am on a Friday morning in late February 2023 in Dover. “Well I...
Marie’s Journey from Cameroon – Long Read
I come from the southern part of Cameroon which is the Anglophone part of the country. I come from a big family of siblings and step-siblings. My early childhood was a happy one, but when I was 11 my mother passed away and after that life was not so easy. My father remarried with a very dominating woman, and I had a hard time living under her rules.
Nima’s Journey from Iran – Long Read
I was born in Tehran to a perfect family: my mother, father, sister and I have always been incredibly close. My parents did not have a good education but they were so open minded about everything. Though my father is a Sunni Muslim, and my mother is Shia, it was never an issue and they would always encourage me to think for myself.
Omid’s Journey from Afghanistan – Long Read
I was born in Iran to an Afghan family, my parents fled from Afghanistan when the Taliban rose to power in the 90s. I was born as a refugee, and have essentially been a refugee my whole life. I have two sisters who are married and one little brother, I also had an older brother. It was never possible to gain full citizenship in Iran, every year we had to pay a lot of money just to renew our temporary refugee papers.
Ayman’s Journey from Syria – Long Read
I grew up in Damascus in a middle class family, we had a normal life: I have a younger brother and a little sister, my mother was a housewife and my father worked as a clothing designer. The political situation in Syria was never perfect but we managed to live relatively carefree, and within my family we were happy.
A Letter to Iran
One of our trustees Nima – who is a refugee from Iran – has written a letter to his home country about the attacks on freedom that are currently happening:
Iran, my dear homeland, I had no choice but to write to you during this time of revolt and perhaps time of change.
Why aren’t the Safe, Documented Routes for Ukrainians being expanded to others?
It’s funny/not funny but the U.K. has done for Ukrainians in 6 months what they’ve refused to do for 6 years for all other asylum seekers and refugees. They’ve provided safe and legal routes.
Moria Fire – NGO Battling to Free the (wrongly) Accused
Everyone hated Moria.
So far the accused young men – at least two of whom were minors in Sep 2020 – have been locked up without a fair trial, a fair review of the evidence, without being identified by any witnesses.
We Love our Local Partners
We love our local partners and we love working together. So this is a photo that fills me with joy as Ruhi, Jess N & Jess W swapped notes during my recent visit to Greece.
Our 6th Birthday
Dear friends, today is our 6th Birthday and it’s been too busy to even make a post! But, we are taking this moment to at least say thank YOU for being with us for 6 years. For believing in us and trusting us and giving us a lot of love and support along the way.
Cycling with the ghosts of Moria
Our group of eight cyclists rounded a corner and found ourselves in the old Moria Camp. My cycling buddies became quiet stopped side by side looking out across their old home.
Then slowly, arms started pointing and, even though they were speaking in Farsi, I could tell they were remembering moments in camp and working out where different places had been.
COVID Quarantine at Mavrovouni Refugee Camp, Lesvos
Although they had only just reached camp, I knew their boat had landed on Lesvos around six days’ ago. It was very likely during that time they’d have had no food or water, hiding scared in the ‘jungle’.
Children’s Joy in Football
Football practice is a pure joy to watch. Independence, growth, learning, pride, commitment, fun, friendships, laughter… for a couple of hours they get to just be kids playing football. And they really really love it!
RefuGym helping People to Overcome their Fear of Water
Yesterday I watched three people experience joy, pride and achievement as they overcame their initial fear of water to become competent paddle boarders. In just a few short hours.
Another Police Eviction in Northern France
It was destroyed. At 7am yesterday morning the CRS (French police) again moved in to flatten the Dunkirk Grande-Synthe ‘camp’ where refugee women, children and men, who are not from Ukraine, attempt...
Being a Refugee in France through a Child’s Eyes
I looked down to see a young girl with a warm happy smile chattering away in really good English. She was asking questions about what we were doing and telling me where she was from and more.
I asked her age and she asked me to guess! I got my first guess of 12 wrong, but had her with my second guess of 10!
Spending time with our Partners in Northern France
The Calais warehouse was buzzing with volunteers and vans when we arrived to this now familiar hub. I was last here in November but the difference this time was the early spring sunshine; rare in Calais! There were meetings happening outside all around the warehouse yard.
The Balkan Route in two extraordinary weeks
And just like that two extraordinary weeks in the Balkan Route have passed. We’ve covered 1300kms across 5 locations in 2 countries in a region that saw 60,000 refugees transit through last year....
12 is too Young to be Alone in this World
Volunteering with our local partners is such an important part of who we are at forRefugees. For example, when we visited Collective Aid’s ‘The Wash Centre’ in Belgrade, a bit tired on Friday...
Must Read – The Lightless Sky
I learned so much from reading this book. Young Gulwali’s journey from rural Afghanistan, through Iran and Turkey (and back again), and on through Europe... Athens, Patras, Italy, Ventimiglia,...
Washing for 40 a day in Belgrade, Serbia
We visited Collective Aid who provide a laundry/ shower service at The Wash for 30-40 refugees per day in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. Local homeless people are welcome too. Serbia is an...
Leaving Subotica with the images of those we met still fresh in my mind, Serbia
Yesterday we left Subotica for Belgrade. The images of the young men and boys we met there still fresh in my mind… Their life in this moment no more than a shadow on the railway tracks of a strange...
In Serbia with 10 Afghans dancing the Macarena
The Resilience of Refugees in Serbia Imagine a cosy fire in a desolate field somewhere near the Serbian -Croatian border with ten young Afghan men, a few volunteers and a Canadian journalist....
Donating Pre-Loved Items, or Money?
Donating things or money? Yesterday, as we were sorting donations in Bosnia & Herzegovina, I was reminded that inappropriate donations are still a thing. Take this piece for example, I still...
We Stand with Ukraine
#WeStandWithUkraine. But we're not collecting for them right now. Understanding the Crisis in Ukraine I know some have asked why, and this helps to explain it - words borrowed from our friend Juliet...
MRS Replacing Tents and Sleeping Bags is the Rhythm of Dunkirk
Amber spent the day with Charlie and Jed at Mobile Refugee Support in Dunkirk. It was only days since another heavy-handed ‘clearance’ by the French police. Whilst most of the 200-300 people left in the area after the clearance were men, she also witnessed families with little children and women on their own.
Arriving at the Warehouse with a Car Full of Toys
Prompted by a major funder withdrawing all support for Northern France, Amber booked and headed over for the weekend. Whilst of course being as useful as possible to the teams, the main purpose this time was to say we’re still here and we still support you. How can we help.
Spending Time with our Incredible Athens Partners
In September 2021 – still mid COVID pandemic and semi-lockdowns – Amber spent 10 days in Athens to meet and volunteer with as many of our partners as possible to best understand the situation there. Cruel changes to Greek law together with illegal push-backs were making the situation across Greece very desperate for thousands of people.
Learning about Action for Education’s new Tenerife Project
Amber has close family ties to Tenerife but, like everyone else, hadn’t been there for a long time because of COVID. Now, double-vacced, testing negative, and travel opening again, she was back and able to catch up with Spanish volunteer, Angela, who’s leading the Canarian work of Action for Education.
Volunteering in Chios, Greece, during COVID
Some 14 months after her last Greek trip, Amber and trustee San finally made it back to Greece against the COVID odds. After testing, quarantining and testing again they were finally able to spend three weeks volunteering with Refugee Biriyani & Bananas on the island of Chios.
Police Allow Town Distributions at last, Chios
COVID - Volunteering in Chios, day 25 Today Ruhi finally got permission from the police for Refugee Biriyani & Bananas to do the town food distributions. Police Restrictions in COVID Usually...
Healthy Food for Kids on Samos
Jamal left Syria with her family, fleeing through Turkey and making the dangerous crossing via boat to reach Greece. Like many people on Samos, her family lack the basic resources to easily prepare...
France – Calais & Dunkirk
Amber and trustee San, aware there was a shortage of volunteers in Calais and Dunkirk (due to COVID restrictions), head over for a week to see what they could do to help. There they met dedicated, smiling volunteers working long hours to support the local refugee communities through the hardest of times.
Calais Day 3 On The Ground
Day 3 on-the-ground. We started today at the warehouse with Calais Food Collective joining co-founder Maddy’s training - sexual harassment awareness - for volunteers; that we both found helpful and...
Greece – Samos and More
Currently in a full-time job in addition to the charity, Amber took leave when she could to spend two weeks in Samos, Greece, over New Year. This time she was accompanied by her sister, Vycki, who was on her first volunteering trip.
Greece Day 2 on Chios Island
“Today was a good day” Mohamed, from Syria It was so great to be back in Chios yesterday and pick up friendships where I left off in September last year. After a nostalgic visit to where Souda Camp...
The Makeshift Moria Refugee Camp in Lesvos, Greece
In Lesvos this morning I had the pleasure of meeting Hannah and Basil of Lighthouse Relief in Skala Sikamineas on the north of Lesvos to hear about their north shore emergency response operations....
