REFUGEES fleeing war and persecution in Syria need tents, trainers, sleeping bags, blankets and toiletries, aid agencies have told Swansea Council.
City residents and the council are joining forces to support refugees arriving in Europe after life-risking journeys from the Middle East. This is why collection points for donations are being set up at libraries across the city and at the Civic Centre.
Cllr Christine Richards, Swansea Council’s Deputy Leader, said: “It’s all systems go for the aid mission we and the YMCA are working on to get vital supplies to those who need them the most as quickly as possible.
“Residents and communities have already been digging deep to help support refugees who are turning up at Europe’s borders with little more than the clothes on their backs, and now we can all pitch in.
“The council is setting up the collection points during our libraries’ normal opening hours and in the Civic Centre. The agencies we’ve been speaking to have said it’s important they receive the kinds of things the refugees actually need.
“Toys and women’s and children’s clothing aren’t needed, but basics like soap, shampoo, woolly hats and travelling bags, as well as men’s clothing and shoes, are the things which are top of the list right now.
“The people of Swansea are warm and welcoming, and Swansea was one of the first cities to declare itself a City of Sanctuary too. That’s why I’m confident that we’ll rise to the occasion this time as well.”
Items collected at libraries and the Civic Centre will be stored at the council’s Penllergaer offices and a team from Swansea YMCA will ship the goods to where they’re most needed in Calais and elsewhere. A local firm, Enterprise Flex E Rental, has loaned a van to help co-ordinate collection point pick-ups.
Cllr Richards said: “We’ve all been moved by the plight of refugees fleeing war and persecution in their own countries in the Middle East and Africa. It seems hardly a day goes by when we don’t all bear witness in the media to another harrowing incident or report from places like Damascus and Tripoli to the borders of Europe and closer.
“It is as great a humanitarian crisis as any of us have seen in our lifetimes.”
Cllr Richards added: “As a council we’ve already assisted many Syrian refugees and asylum seekers who are relocated to Swansea as part of the National Asylum Support Service. The council has been in touch with the Home Office to continue discussions about participating in its Syrian Vulnerable Persons Relocation Scheme so that more Syrian refugee families can be relocated here.”
If you want to donate, these are the items most needed:
- Shoes : trainers or hiking shoes (only common size from 7.5 to 9.5 UK size).
- Tents
- Men’s jackets (only small and medium size).
- Travelling bags.
- Candles or any other lighting implement.
- Belts
- Tracksuit trousers for men.
- Jeans for men (size 28 to 32).
- Blankets.
- Sleeping bags.
- Soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste.
- Bin liners.
- Woolly hats, gloves, slings.
- Pans and kitchen utensils.
It’s important that clothes are clean and in a good state of repair.
Toys and women’s and children’s clothing are not required..
The Council’s library collection points are:
- Brynhyfryd – Mainly open 9 – 5 (10 – 5 on Saturday) but closed on Thursdays and Sundays
- Clydach – Mainly open 9.30 – 5.30 (9.30 – 4.30 on Saturday) but closed on Sundays
- Fforestfach – Mainly open 9 – 5 on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and 9.30 – 1 on Saturday (Closed 1 – 2)
- Gorseinon – Mainly open 9 – 6 Monday – Friday and 9 – 5 on Saturday (closed Sunday)
- Killay – Mainly open 9 – 6 Monday – Friday, 9 – 4 on Saturday + 12 – 4 on Sunday – closed on Tuesdays
- Morriston – Mainly open 9 – 6 Monday – Friday and 9 – 5 on Saturday (closed Sunday)
- Oystermouth – Mainly open 9 – 6 Monday – Friday, 9 – 5 on Saturday + 12 – 4 on Sunday (limited storage space)
- Penlan – Mainly open 9.30 – 5 Monday + Wednesday, 1 – 5 on Friday and 9.30 – 5 on Saturday (Closed 12.30 – 1)
- Pontarddulais – Mainly open 9 – 5 Monday – Friday + 9 – 1 on Saturday (Closed 1 – 2)
- Townhill – Mainly open 2 – 6 Monday to Friday and 10 – 12 on Saturday
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