JUNE ROUNDUP 六月回顧
Jul 6th, 2022 | Monthly Roundup | Comment
With the epidemic in Hong Kong coming to an end, folk lives stepwise go back to normal. This piece reviews the activities that happened at our centre last month.
隨着本港疫情漸見曙光，人們的生活有序回復往常。本文將回顧本會於過去一個月舉辦的活動。
About Us 關於我們
The Refugee Union was founded in 2014 and is the only refugee-led organisation in Hong Kong. We have over 3,000 registered members and half of these are active members. Currently, our centre is based in Sheung Wan. As an union of and for refugees, we have always been working to safeguard refugee rights and improve the situation of refugees in Hong Kong.
難民聯會於2014年成立，是本港唯一由尋求庇護者和難民組成及領導的組織。本會現址位於上環，現有超過3,000名註冊會員，當中一半為活躍會員。本會一直致力於保障難民權益以及改善本地難民社群的狀況。
Activities at a Glance 活動一覽
20 June is World Refugee Day. The United Nations General Assembly in 2000 designated the day as an international day with the aim of raising global awareness of refugee issues.
本月20日是世界難民日。聯合國大會於2000年將這一天定為國際節日，藉此希望喚起全球對難民議題的關注。
This year our partner Grassroots Future launched the first Refugee Week in Hong Kong to honour refugee resilience and raise awareness. The campaign was featured by the Young Post. Click here for more details.
今年本會的合作夥伴Grassroots Future舉辦了本港首個「難民週」。該活動旨在向難民致敬，同時藉此喚起港人對難民議題的關注。該活動獲Young Post報導，詳情請按此。
On World Refugee Day, our volunteer Ka Wang Kelvin Lam wrote a short introduction about refugees in Hong Kong. The article has been published on our website. Click here to access the full article.
世界難民日當天，本會的志願者Ka Wang Kelvin Lam於本會網誌刊登了一篇文章簡述香港難民的狀況。請按此閱讀全文。
Our chairwoman, Namagambe Adella, was interviewed by Global Voices earlier. Ms Adella shared her experience as a refugee woman in Hong Kong. The article was out this month. Click here to access the full article.
另外，本會主席Namagembe Adella早前接受Global Voices訪問。Adella女士分享了自己身為女性難民在香港的經歷。請按此閱讀全文。
Giving is a Blessing 施比受更有福
This month we received donations of abundant items. We would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to our generous donors who lend us a hand. Your support means a lot to us. We promise to deliver all donations we received to our members who are in need.
本會於過去一個月獲善心人士捐贈海量物資，並對各位的慷慨解囊不勝感激。本會已將收集到的物資全數送到難民手上。
Please stay tuned to our website and social media pages (Facebook, Instagram and Twitter) for the updated information. You are also welcome to contact us by email at info@refugeeunion.org or by visiting our centre during office hours (Mondays to Saturdays, 10am-6pm).
請繼續關注本會的網站和社交媒體專頁 (Facebook、Instagram、Twitter) 以獲取本會及本地難民社群相關的最新資訊。亦歡迎各位以電郵 (info@refugeeunion.org) 形式聯絡本會或親臨到訪 (辦公時間：星期一至六上午10時至下午6時)。
Global Voices – Women refugee claimants are disenfranchised by gender-blind screening in Hong Kong
Jun 21st, 2022 | Advocacy | Comment
Refugee Week Events
Jun 12th, 2022 | Advocacy | Comment
Announcing Grassroots Future’s agenda for 2022 Refugee Week
本年度 (2022) Grassroots Future 世界難民日活動一覽
Join us for the first year Hong Kong is running Refugee Week with a series of online and in person events that engage with the this year’s theme of “healing”.本月20日是世界難民日。本港將舉辦首個「難民週」，主題為「復原」。
This year’s event series is co-organised by本年度難民週的主辦機構如下：Grassroots FutureUNHCR Hong Kong 聯合國難民署 (中國香港特別行政區辦事處)Justice Centre Hong KongBlessVision Foundation 幸福傳聲基金會 Branches of Hope 希望枝子RUN Hong KongWISE HK 睿動香港We hope you’ll join us between 20-26 June to celebrate achievements, talents and stories about starting again and healing.
Sign up via the link in bio or https://linktr.ee/refugeeweekhk歡迎您於本月20-26日參與難民週活動，讓我們一同向難民對抗逆境的勇氣致敬。詳情請見：https://linktr.ee/refugeeweekhk#refugeeweek2022#refugeeweek
MAY ROUNDUP 五月回顧
Jun 7th, 2022 | Advocacy | Comment
With Hong Kong’s fifth wave of outbreak coming to an end, everything in the city stepwise goes back to normal. This roundup reviews activities that happened at our centre in the past month.
隨着本港第五波疫情漸見曙光，人們的生活有序回復往常。本文將回顧本會於過去一個月舉辦的活動。
About us 關於我們
The Refugee Union, founded in 2014, is Hong Kong’s only refugee-led organisation. Currently, our centre is based in Sheung Wan. Since our commencement of service, we have been working with visions to safeguard refugee rights and to improve the status quo of asylum seekers and refugees in Hong Kong.
難民聯會於二零一四年成立，現址位於上環，是本港唯一由尋求庇護者和難民組成及領導的組織。自成立以來，本會一直致力於保障難民權益以及改善本地難民社群的待遇。
Activities at a glance 活動一覽
This month activities at our centre began to resume as the local epidemic condition improved. On 25 May, volunteers of Grassroots Future organised a crochet workshop at our centre. Refugee ladies learned DIY with joys in the event.
本月二十五日，Grassroots Future 的義工團隊到訪本會並為難民婦女舉辦了一個針織工作坊。參加者於活動後皆表示獲益良多。本會衷心感謝義工團隊的努力。
On 27 May, we were honoured to host teachers and students from the Glenealy School. They visited our centre to learn more about the situation of asylum seekers and refugees in Hong Kong and sent us donations of items.
本月二十七日，己連拿小學 (Glenealy School) 的師生到訪本會，透過實地考察讓學生更深入了解本地難民社群的狀況。師生及後捐贈物資到本會，以行動支持本地難民社群。本會對此深表欣賞和謝意。
This month we were thrilled to be selected by the Hong Kong Arbitration Charity Ball (HKACB) as one of the beneficiaries. The annual event aims at raising funds to support Hong Kong’s charities and to facilitate the development of arbitration in Asia. The invite is a recognition of our service to the local refugee community. Thank you.
本月下旬，本會非常榮幸獲邀出席本年度的香港仲裁慈善舞會。每年一度的香港仲裁慈善舞會為本地慈善機構籌款，並藉此推廣亞洲仲裁業的發展。本會將受益於本年度舞會的所得善款，在此衷心感謝主辦方對本會服務的認可。
Giving is a blessing 施比受更有福
This month we received donations of wide-ranging items. We would like to take this opportunity to express our heartfelt gratitude to all generous donors for lending us a hand. Your support means a lot to us. As always, we promise to deliver all donations we received to asylum seekers and refugees who are in need.
本會於過去一個月獲善心人士捐贈海量物資，對各位的慷慨解囊不勝感激。本會已將收集到的物資全數送到尋求庇護者和難民手上。
Please stay tuned to our official website and social media pages (Facebook, Instagram and Twitter) for the most updated information. You are also welcome to contact us by email at info@refugeeunion.org or by visiting our centre during office hours (Mondays to Saturdays, 10am-6pm).
請繼續關注本會的官方網站和社交媒體專頁 (Facebook、Instagram、Twitter) 以獲取本會及本地難民社群相關的最新資訊。亦歡迎各位以電郵 (info@refugeeunion.org) 形式聯絡本會或親臨到訪 (辦公時間：星期一至六 上午十時至下午六時)。
Keep Refugee Union’s Center Running
Jun 1st, 2022 | Advocacy | Comment
June 20 is World Refugee Day. We ask that you support refugees by supporting our campaign for Refugee Union’s Center.
Refugee Union is the first self-organized group in Hong Kong where refugees help refugees.
We were registered as a society in 2014 to connect with Hong Kong residents and the community at large. We are comprised of over 2000 members from dozens of countries, including around 200 children. We mainly support families as they are the most vulnerable and in need of timely assistance.
The Government provides a monthly welfare support of: $1500 for rent; $1200 for food; $300 for utilities and $200 for transport allowance to attend official appointments. This package remains unchanged since 2014 despite inflation rate.
No support is provided for clothes, shoes, home fittings, cooking equipment, cleaning materials, medicines and phone re-charge. To find out more: https://refugeeunion.org/support/
We therefore plead for your financial support to rent the centre for a second year so we may be able to continue serving our community. The survival of the centre and our services rely on donations that we receive.
“Visiting the Refugee Union centre in Sheung Wan yesterday was both uplifting and humbling. The wonderful people there exuded joy, happiness, appreciation and kindness. We were inspired to support and help them on their life’s journey.” ~Andrew
We have been in operation at this centre since July 2021 and have welcomed hundreds of visitors, including volunteers and donors. It is here that our volunteers and members are able to interact, connect and aid in providing this community with essential donations. We are fortunate to receive regular deliveries of rice, bread, milk, canned food and fresh vegetables which we distribute to the families most in need.
“I hope you are well. I did a drop-off of some food a few weeks ago and your staff were extremely friendly and thankful. It’s a lovely environment there. Thank you for what you are doing.” ~Janice
We pay $11,000 a month to rent this small space which has become the heart of our community. For some refugees, it is the most important place in town where they can meet friends and let their children play whilst receiving services. Over 1000 refugee families and their children visit every month and, thanks to your generous support, seldom leave empty handed!
“We have worked with Refugee Union on several occasions in the past few years. My own family has experienced the difficulties of being a refugee, so the work RU does is even more special to me. I hope you can continue working and helping all of these people in need.” ~Alisha
We welcome anyone in the community to visit our centre and learn about our predicament firsthand.
We are also grateful for the support and partnership with Drink for Justice whose monthly event supports our fundraiser for the rental payment of the centre. Please support and help us spread the word to not only raise funds for the rent but to raise awareness! We believe that together, we are stronger!
Click to donate > https://go.sparkraise.com/keep-refugee-unions-center-running
APRIL ROUNDUP 四月回顧
Apr 30th, 2022 | Monthly Roundup | Comment
The recent outbreak in Hong Kong is coming to an end following a significant decrease in local infection cases. We all cannot wait to resume social activities. At the same time, this April is also a milestone to our organisation. To better engage with the local community we start to provide a Chinese version for our social media posts. This article reviews the activities that happened at our centre in the past month.
隨著新冠病毒的感染人數顯著下降，本港第五波疫情漸見曙光。大家都期盼早日回復正常的社交生活。對本會而言，本月同是一個里程碑。為更深入與本地社群互動，本會將為社交媒體發佈的資訊提供中文版本。本文回顧過去一個月本會曾舉辦的活動。
About Us 關於我們
The Refugee Union was founded in 2014 and is the first refugee-led organisation in Hong Kong. Our centre is currently based in Sheung Wan. We work with visions to safeguard refugee rights and to improve the status quo of asylum seekers and refugees in Hong Kong.
難民聯會 (Refugee Union) 於2014年成立，為本港首個由尋求庇護者和難民自發組織和營運的團體。本會的會址現位於上環。自成立以來，本會一直致力於保障難民權益和改善本港尋求庇護者和難民的待遇。
Emergency Food Drive 緊急糧食儲備
Government offices and supporting organisations are closed during the lockdown. The refugee community has nowhere to seek help. Necessities went into shortage and prices went high as a result of panic buying. But for asylum seekers, they are prohibited from working and are solely reliant on HK$40 (US$5) a day to survive. The pandemic has further worsened their situation.
In view of this, we have initiated a fundraising campaign online. It is our hope to gather community resources and redistribute to asylum seekers and refugees who are in need. Kindly show your support for our Emergency Food Drive.
本港第五波疫症爆發期間，公共醫療服務幾近癱瘓。社區出現恐慌性消費，令糧食和生活必需品價格上漲，甚至陷入短缺。本港的難民群體成為被遺忘的一群，未有獲得適切的協助之餘，亦求助無門。
尋求庇護者不獲准在港工作，僅以每天約HK$40的津貼過活。疫情在社區造成的影響對他們而言可謂雪上加霜。有見及此，本會發起了一項線上眾籌，希望匯集社區資源支援本港難民社群。本會懇請各位善心人士慷慨解囊，助難民群體度過難關。
Abolish the Food Card System 廢除糧食卡制度
We have also initiated an online petition calling for abolishing the refugee food card system. Asylum seekers are only allowed to purchase items at the ParknShop supermarket. For the past eight years the policy has not changed, nor has the card value increased with inflation. It is unreasonable to distrust asylum seekers from managing the HK$40 a day to purchase items they need at the cheapest price they can find in the neighbourhood.
We respectfully request the Hong Kong Government to review the food card system and stipend for asylum seekers. Kindly show your support for us by signing the petition.
本會早前亦草擬了一封呈請書，呼籲特區政府廢除針對尋求庇護者的糧食卡制度。現時本港的尋求庇護者僅以每月HK$1,200 (相當於每日HK$40) 額度的糧食卡於百佳超級市場購買糧食和生活必需品。特區政府自八年前實施糧食卡制度以來從未檢視該政策的成效。實際上，本港生活成本高昂，糧食卡的額度早已追不上通脹。另一方面，有關尋求庇護者僅能於百佳超級市場購物的限制亦剝奪了他們以更相宜的價格購買糧食和生活必需品的機會。
本會懇請特區政府廢除針對尋求庇護者的糧食卡制度，並檢視現行尋求庇護者每月獲發津貼的金額。本會現誠邀各位聯署支持，以改善本港尋求庇護者和難民的待遇。
Giving is a Blessing 施比受更有福
This month we received donations of wide-ranging items. We would like to take this opportunity to express our heartfelt gratitude to all generous donors for lending us a hand. Your support means a lot to us. As always, we promise to deliver all donations we received to asylum seekers and refugees who are in need.
本會於過去一個月獲善心人士捐贈大量物資。本會衷心感謝各位的慷慨解囊，並已將收集到的物資全數送到尋求庇護者和難民家庭手中。
Please stay tuned to our official website and social media pages (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter) for the most updated information. You are also welcome to contact us by email at info@refugeeunion.org or by visiting our centre during office hours (Mondays to Saturdays, 10am-6pm).
請繼續關注本會的官方網站和社交媒體專頁 (Facebook、Instagram、Twitter) 以獲取本會發佈的最新資訊。亦歡迎各位以電郵 (info@refugeeunion.org) 形式聯絡本會或親臨到訪 (辦公時間：星期一至六 上午10時至下午6時)。
Deserving or undeserving refugees?
Apr 13th, 2022 | Advocacy | Comment
MARCH ROUNDUP
Mar 30th, 2022 | Advocacy | Comment
This March continues to be a very difficult month for us and for people in Hong Kong. Numbers of infection keep accelerating following the outbreak of the Omicron Variant virus locally. Many are suffering from the pain of disease and some have lost their loved ones. Despite the city being placed under lockdown, we stand firm and provide essential service for asylum seekers and refugees. This is a review of the activities that happened at our centre in the past month.
About us
We are the Refugee Union. Our organisation was founded in 2014 and is the first refugee-led organisation in Hong Kong. We have a centre based in Sheung Wan. We work with visions to safeguard refugee rights and to keep improving the status quo of asylum seekers and refugees in Hong Kong.
Emergency food drive
Asylum seekers and refugees have nowhere to seek help as government offices, churches, and supporting organisations are closed during the lockdown. Prices of necessities also go skyrocketing as people scramble for them in panic. Asylum seekers in Hong Kong are prohibited from working and are solely reliant on HK$40 per day to survive. The current pandemic has further worsened their situation.
We therefore have initiated an online fundraising campaign. We will allocate the resources we gathered to asylum seekers and refugees who are in need. Kindly show your support for our Emergency Food Drive.
Call for abolishing the food card system
We have also initiated an online petition calling for an abolishment of the food card system. Currently asylum seekers are restricted to purchase items at the ParknShop supermarket. For the past eight years the policy has not changed, nor has the card value increased with inflation. It is unreasonable to distrust asylum seekers from managing the small amount of cash to purchase items they need at the cheapest price they can find in the neighbourhood.
We respectfully request the Hong Kong government to review the food card system and stipend for asylum seekers. Kindly show your support for us by signing the petition.
Giving is a blessing
This month we have received donations of wide-ranging items. We would like to take this opportunity to express our heartfelt gratitude to all generous donors for lending us a hand. Your support means a lot to us. As always, we promise to deliver all donations we received to asylum seekers and refugees who are in need.
We would also like to take this opportunity to thank professional journalists at the South China Morning Post and Hong Kong Free Press for bringing our situation to public attention. Thanks also go to Canada in Hong Kong for recommending our organisation to the public.
Please stay tuned to our official website and social media pages (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter) for the most updated information. You are also welcome to contact us by email at info@refugeeunion.org or by visiting our centre during office hours (Mondays to Saturdays, 10am-6pm).
We are refugees helping refugees. Thank you for your support of our initiative.
Notice for Canadians in Hong Kong
Mar 26th, 2022 | Advocacy | Comment
A thanksgiving to our generous donors
Mar 21st, 2022 | Advocacy | Comment
https://www.doughnation.club/
