05/02/2015

Law Centre (NI) Welcomes Crisis Fund For Migrants

The Law Centre (NI) has welcomed the decision by the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to implement a Crisis Fund for destitute asylum seekers and migrants.

The OFMDFM has appointed the Red Cross to deliver the programme.

Law Centre (NI) Director Glenn Jordan said: "This is a forward-thinking move by OFMDFM and really good news for the Law Centre and our member advice agencies.

"The Law Centre has had to signpost migrant and refugee families to local charities so they could feed their children while we were helping them with delays in accessing a complex benefit system.

"We also have first-hand experience of people left destitute when their claim for asylum was refused and they could not be sent back to their own country.

"The Law Centre has been advocating for this Fund, which provides help at crucial times of need in people's lives, and we are delighted with this decision."

(CD/JP)

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