Aid for Refugees

Nothing wrong at all, Nelliemoser; however I have heard from an established small charity that some of the clothing sent was not clean or fit for re-use!

I think some decent soft toys could be of great benefit for the children who must be so traumatised.

There is nothing wrong with decent second hand clothing as long as it is sent clean and wearable. I am sure many on here buy from charity shops.

It must be awful for girls and women without the above djen

Nappies are on my list, and sani towels.

I don't know if nappies are on the lists; in some of the refugee camps in Turkey mothers resorted to using polythene bags on their babies; some developed such terrible sores they required hospital treatment (after aid workers had finally persuaded the men to let them past to examine the babies).

Of course essentials are desperately needed, but I still think a little child in distress would be comforted by a small soft toy, at least that is what I have been given to understand by people who have been carrying out this humanitarian work for years, not just in the present crisis.

No, I haven't forgotten what I said durhamjen. Why should you think that?

My scepticism about the value of petitions is just that - I'm not bewailing the lack of simple compassion shown by 'some people.

As part of the WI centenary our WI had planned to collect 100 items to donate to a local Women's Refuge. We are now planning to collect 200 items so we can send to refugee women as well. We are making contact with charities already active to see what they need but sanitary pads, soaps, flannels etc. are likely to be the main items.

Over a million signatures on the petition about refugees got Cameron to make a statement this week, Ana. Not a good enough statement, but I think he said today that we might be able to accept 20,000 Syrian refugees this year. That's another change because of people petitioning.

You appear to have forgotten what you said further up the page, about sour notes in a positive thread, Ana.

Yes, yet another petition which will have no effect whatsoever - that'll help the refugees...

Iam, here's something you might be able to do to help some people in Calais.

www.change.org/p/david-cameron-mp-include-the-269-syrians-in-calais-in-uk-refugee-plan

There's not a cuddly toy or piece of clothing on the list, you'll be pleased to hear, jingl. It's all things like toothbrushes, baby wipes, disinfectant, plasters, first aid kits, etc.

Although I haven't seen tv for a few days. but I thought most people seem to be affected by their plight.

What selfish people?

It did inject a sour note into what has been a positive and generous-spirited thread, I agree.

I don't think criticising the way other people feel, helps at all.

One of our daughter's friends is collecting sleeping bags and other times, including children's clothes. They're going to a main collection point locally for onward transport to Calais.
I emailed our local refugee support group over a week ago, wanting to volunteer but haven't heard anything. I plan to phone them tomorrow. I saw a Save the Children ad on tv today, starving children in Africa - I was giving my 4 month old, chubby and thriving, grandson a bottle when the ad came on. The famine in Biafra was on tv when my grandson's mum was a new born - not a lot changes does it. I'm planning to send cash for the famine relief.
Feeling very fortunate, very sad and also, distressed by the selfishness and lack of simple compassion shown by some people in the face of the dreadful news on our tv screens currently.

Did anyone see the footage on the news of the little boy blowing bubbles from one of those little bottles that we all played with as kids?

Such a simple distraction as the police were turning people back from the Serbian/Hungarian border.

Ana

We were asked originally not to send second-hand clothes - some that were sent were not suitable - and not clean would you believe it!; although second-hand good and clean children's clothes were requested.

I have always just made knitted clothes and squares for blankets which are needed in the harsh Turkish winters; however, things have changed so rapidly now that the needs are greater and may be different. Money can always be spent on what those on the ground may consider is most urgently needed.

I stand corrected!

Actually, I do think a new (or very clean) cuddly toy would be welcomed by a small child who has nothing; it could be a great comfort.

I think some the large charities are probably doing a sterling job, but the little charity I support (LILY) seems to find camps that have not been helped by the larger charities and also helps by sending aid into Syria itself.

There are still so many refugees falling through the net.
And Christian Aid refused to offer any money to help this small charity transport aid to where they know it is needed.
Not very Christian imo, so I won't give to them any more.

They have to cream off their over-inflated salaries, expenses, money for 4x4s and 1st class travel first, of course.
Which very small charities don't.

I agree about the cuddly toys, they aren't what's needed. Thanks for that information, rosequartz, those things sound like something a lot of us could lay our hands on/buy and could be easier to transport.

I really think donating through UNICEF is the best way to help, if you can. Won't they be inundated with cuddly toys and unsuitable secondhand clothing?

Refugee camps in Turkey are also desperately short of paper, pencils, crayons, etc for schoolchildren.