“I know that I am not the only refugee who has faced homelessness and had to seek help.”
This winter, many refugees are facing homelessness.
They often wait months, if not years for a decision on their claim for asylum. After receiving their refugee status in Britain, they are given just 28 days to find somewhere to live.
This is a significant challenge as most people seeking asylum are not allowed to work before gaining their status, meaning that they cannot afford housing.
Ruba had to flee his homeland of Sierra Leone. After being granted asylum, he found himself at risk of homelessness. Read our interview with him below to find out why our work is so vital to those who need it.
You can support us in our work by making a donation today.
Ruba was a disability rights advocate in Sierra Leone
Can you share a little bit about why you made the decision to flee Sierra Leone?
I was well-known because of my disability activism, and I have served my country both in the civil and public sector as a disability activist. So I was well-known and easy to identify. The environment became unsafe for me. I suffered some attacks on my house and there was a lot of intimidation.
I had no intention of leaving the country – a country I had served for so long in various capacities. The most disappointing thing was that there was no institution to trust, and no one spoke out to protect disabled people.
A lot of people suffered intimidation, harassment, threats, beatings, attacks.
How was life was when you first arrived in the UK?
I was put in a hotel, during Covid. It was a small room.
I had no company, nobody to talk to. It was just like a prison. There was no access to hot meals. I would live mainly on bread, sardines, and once in a while I could buy a hot meal that I could eat immediately.
It was very challenging. You are alone. It was hard to communicate with family members. That was very sad.
You mentioned you were at risk of becoming homeless. Can you tell us more about that?
When I got my refugee status granted I received an eviction notice that I was going to be made homeless.
It was very stressful, it was the festive season. Everybody’s going on holiday and there was no one to respond to me. Even when you think you should enjoy Christmas, especially now that you are relieved you’ve got legal status, you have to think ‘when they throw me out, how am I going to survive? Where am I going to lay my head?’ It was tough.
Ruba received support from the Refugee Council and was able to find somewhere to live
What were the different ways in which the Refugee Council supported you during these difficult times?
The Refugee Council had supported me throughout my asylum application, and they were there for me once again when I received my eviction notice.
They provided me with hardship payments to help me buy food, and advice to help me find suitable accommodation. Without this support, I don’t know what would have happened.
The counselling sessions with the Refugee Council just gave me hope and they renewed my life.
The Refugee Council provided legal support for housing. Kellie [at the Refugee Council] put me in touch with a housing solicitor who worked with the Home Office to find me a better place to live in. At the time my house was flooded and the place was not blind friendly.
And then immediately I contacted Kellie and she found a solicitor and immediately the Home Office responded by finding a better place.
The Refugee Council gave me food, they gave me legal support, they gave me counselling, and the legal support ensured I had a proper housing when I needed it – so that was wonderful.
When they throw me out, how am I going to survive? Where am I going to lay my head?
What would you say to someone who was thinking about giving a donation to the Refugee Council? How would you inspire them to give their support?
I know that I am not the only refugee who has faced homelessness and had to seek help. Nobody chooses to become a refugee. But the people who support the Refugee Council have a great impact on our lives. No matter how much you choose to give, you should know that you’re not just putting food on our tables or finding us a bed for the night. You’re helping us rebuild our lives and regain our futures.
And as much as they are willing to give, they should know that they’ve put smiles on our faces, they’ve put food on our table, they’ve sheltered us, and the work they will continue to do will give more smiles to people.
The people who support the Refugee Council have a great impact on our lives.
If you would like to help people like Ruba, please consider donating to the Refugee Council today. ■
