Co-op Foundation calling for a collaborative national effort to support Afghan Refugees

We’ve awarded a £250,000 grant to Refugee Action to support Afghan refugees who’ve recently fled to the UK and to help build a more compassionate and welcoming refugee system for the future. 

Our grant will help the national refugee charity to: 

• Provide direct support and advice to people who’ve fled to the UK from Afghanistan and other countries through its own front-line services and in collaboration with a nationwide network of community organisations.  
• Build public support to help campaign for a more sustainable, compassionate and welcoming refugee protection system.  
• Empower refugees and people in the asylum system to influence the issues that matter to them. 

We’re working alongside Co-op to respond to the refugee crisis and act as a catalyst for those wanting to respond to the crisis following the military withdrawal from Afghanistan. 

The grant is just the start of a national collaborative effort and we’re calling for wider support for the reform of the refugee protection system by inviting other funders, businesses and organisations to join this endeavour. 

In addition to our grant, Co-op is already working hard in communities to support refugees through its vision of Co-operating for a Fairer World.  

When Co-op Members buy selected Co-op branded products and services, 2p for every pound spent is shared equally between the Local Community Fund for local causes and a new Community Partnerships Fund, that supports communities through like-minded national charities and organisations. 

Co-op members have raised over £200,000 for local groups working with refugees in recent years and this is expected to continue when the new round of local causes is announced in October.   

The Co-op Academies Trust already offers places to recent migrants, refugees and people seeking asylum. The Trust has written to all Directors of Education where Co-op Academy schools are located to indicate its willingness to take additional children from the newly arrived Afghan community. 

Additionally, many of the 1,000 Co-op Member Pioneers across the UK are connected to groups working with refugees. 

Nick Crofts, Chief Executive of the Co-op Foundation, said: 

“The scenes in Kabul have made a big impact on public opinion, and we believe there is now an opportunity for funders and charities to work co-operatively to make a difference. Our focus is on immediate support for Afghan refugees in crisis and longer-term positive change for the wider refugee and asylum system. 

“By being quick and nimble, the Co-op Foundation has been able to award our largest single grant to date to respond swiftly to this humanitarian crisis. 

“I know many of our people want to do something and so I would urge them to donate to Refugee Action or any of the other charities working in this sector. We know we are at our strongest when we all co-operate.” 

Co-op CEO, Steve Murrells, said: 

“It’s heartening to see communities across the UK come together to support and welcome Afghan refugees who’ve been evacuated and are now arriving in the UK.  

“As an organisation that has close affinity with 1,500 communities across the UK, the Co-op is in a unique position to mobilise support for these brave and traumatised people who are leaving behind their country and, in some cases, their families – beginning what will probably be a long journey to start a new life in a foreign country.” 

Tim Naor Hilton, Chief Executive of Refugee Action, said: 

“We are so grateful to the Co-op Foundation and to everyone across the Co-op for their support at this crucial time. The scenes from Afghanistan, of people fleeing in terror from the Taliban, have united us all in horror and grief. Over the last few weeks, we’ve seen first-hand the depth of that horror while we provided round-the-clock emergency support to evacuees from Afghanistan arriving to UK airports.  

“Now we look ahead to the enormous challenge of ensuring everyone seeking safety in the UK from Afghanistan and around the world is welcomed, supported, and treated with dignity. So, there could not be a more welcome time to begin this vital new partnership with the Co-op Foundation and have a powerful voice join our urgent calls for a strong and compassionate refugee protection system.” 

Refugee Action specialises in welcoming and supporting refugees in the UK. For the last 40 years, they’ve welcomed tens of thousands of people fleeing crises in Vietnam, Bosnia, Syria and many other places. The charity is now extending the same vital support to refugees arriving from Afghanistan, while also helping some of the most vulnerable people in our communities, who face extreme poverty and homelessness while awaiting an asylum claim. Thanks to this new grant, Refugee Action will be able to welcome and support even more people as they begin to rebuild their lives here in the UK. 

The Co-op Foundation is Co-op’s charity. We help people challenge inequality and co-operative for change so they can share a fairer future. Read more at www.coopfoundation.org.uk 

Its rapid response to this crisis comes just two months after it pledged to be a flexible funder under the IVAR open and trusting grantmaking scheme. Read its pledge. 

For more information about Refugee Action’s Afghan Arrivals Emergency Fund and to donate visit www.refugee-action.org.uk/afghanistan  

For more information, please contact Andy Mortimer, Co-op Foundation Head of Comms, at andy.mortimer@coop.co.uk