Dear supporters,
 
Can you help reunite families by writing to your MPs?
 
Now more than ever, we are being reminded of the importance of our families and loved ones. In times of crisis like this, families and friends are coming together physically and virtually in order to be together and support each other.
 
Although Hannah and I can’t be with our family at the moment, we feel fortunate knowing that they are safe, and that we will get to be together again in the future.
 
But there are many young people all over Europe for whom this is not possible. Dozens of unaccompanied minors, who were due to be reunited with family in the UK before the Covid-19 crisis hit and their flights were cancelled, are now stranded in Greece. One family member, whose brother is currently stuck in Greece, says all he can do is think about his brother and worry for him.
 
Many more unaccompanied children, without prospects of a family reunion route, are stranded in overcrowded camps all across Europe, where social distancing and hand washing is not an option.
 
Can you write to your MP asking them to urge the government to help?
 
Other European countries such as Luxembourg and Germany have recently organised rescue flights for unaccompanied minors – but rather than stepping up to do the same, the UK recently refused to take children from Greek camps.
 
We need to urge the government to change its mind. The government has put millions into repatriating citizens stranded abroad due to the Covid-19 crisis, allowing them to reunite with families and loved ones: refugees have the same right to be with their families.
 
This is not a large number of people: British councils have long said they have capacity, and this would significantly change the lives of young people living in desperate conditions. If enough of us ask our MPs to put pressure on the Foreign Secretary and Home Secretary, we could make a difference.
 
In short, we are asking the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Home Office to: a.) rearrange the cancelled family reunion flights for minors from Greece, and b.) organise a mercy flight for other stranded minors in European camps.
 
To make it easier, we’ve written a template that you can use and adapt for a letter to your MP.
 
What to do:
1.     Find your MP’s email address here: https://members.parliament.uk/members/Commons 
2.     Copy the template below
3.     Paste the template into an email
4.     Insert your MP’s name, your name and address
5.     Send
 
Thank you so much – people power really can work if enough of us do this.
 
We hope you and your loved ones are all keeping safe and well at this difficult time.
 
Warmest wishes,
 
Melissa x
 
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Dear [MP’s name]
 
A Desperate Call to Action
 
A total of 52 people - including unaccompanied minors – who had been granted permission by the British government to join their own families living in the UK are now stuck in an extremely dangerous situation, having found their flights cancelled at the last minute. These refugees desperately need our help, and I am calling on you to help persuade the government to bring them to safety.
 
Many more young refugees are also stranded in camps across Europe, where social distancing and hand washing is not an option. While several EU states such as Germany and Luxembourg have stepped up to help, the UK recently refused to take children from Greek camps.
 
I am asking you to put pressure on the Foreign Secretary and Home Secretary to a.) rearrange the original flights to reunite refugee minors with family in the UK, and b.) reconsider its position on rescuing children from Greek camps.
 
Our country clearly cares deeply about reuniting British citizens stranded abroad with their families during this unsettled and dangerous time by organising repatriation flights. Refugee children and their families have the same aspirations and desires - to be reunited with loved ones, and they also have the same human rights: they are entitled to a safe home and a family life, and many have been granted the right to come to the UK. We must therefore do whatever we can to ensure this is made possible. Here is a personal story from one brother - I encourage you to read and engage with his plea.
 
This is a truly desperate situation and we really must all act together now to show Britain’s humility towards the most vulnerable in our world.
 
Even arranging the relocation of a small number of children who already have a right to be here will make a huge difference and reduce the risk to their lives when they have already been through so much trauma. We already know who these children are and organisations like Safe Passage can support the transfer. The children will not require additional support from social services as they will be accommodated with their families and are already legally eligible to come here.

In short, we are asking the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Home Office to: a.) rearrange the cancelled family reunion flights for minors from Greece, and b.) organise a mercy flight for other stranded minors in European camps.

Please consider this urgent request and do what you can to bring these children to safety.
 
All the best to you and your loved ones at this difficult time.
 
Yours sincerely,
 
[Your name]
[Your address]