An end of year message for all our friends and supporters from CEO Sabir Zazai

As we reach the end of an eventful and challenging year, I would like to thank you for your support for our work and for your support for people seeking refugee protection in Scotland.

2019 marks the end of a difficult decade, with more than 25 million people in need of international protection. The response of individuals and communities across Scotland to this crisis has been exemplary and one we all need to be proud of. It takes a kind and generous community to reach out and share with others in times of increased uncertainty and a challenging economic and political landscape.

At Scottish Refugee Council, we continue to find new ways to strengthen the warm welcome offered to people who now call Scotland their new home.

Over the last twelve months, we helped more than 1000 people settle in Scotland. We challenged the Home Office and Serco’s lock change evictions that forced so many people seeking protection into street homelessness and destitution.

Earlier this year, we launched New Scots Connect, a digital map to link people into support services, befriending and volunteering services and advice no matter where they are in Scotland. This will help nurture a culture of welcome and hospitality across Scotland and add value to local integration initiatives and the excellent response of local authorities.

So it has been a busy year with plenty of developments, but the future will bring a new set of challenges for all of us. However, given goodwill and strong leadership, we believe that collectively we can overcome the challenges ahead and I look forward to working with you in 2020 to continue to help people find safety and protection in Scotland.

Once more, on behalf of everyone at Scottish Refugee Council, thank you for your continued support and friendship. We couldn’t do our work without you.

Chris Afuakwah
Author: Chris Afuakwah