By Tamirat Astatkie
MIGRATION, a global phenomenon affecting millions of individuals, has become an increasingly complex and compelling issue in recent years.
According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), approximately 281 million people, which accounts for roughly 3.6 per cent of the world’s population, currently reside outside their country of origin.
Many of these migrants embark on their journeys due to a combination of factors, often driven by circumstances beyond their control.
Forced migration has become a distressing reality for a growing number of individuals. These migrants face numerous human rights violations, including denial of civil and political rights through such things as arbitrary detention, torture, and lack of due process.
Additionally, they may experience infringements upon their economic, social, and cultural rights, such as limited access to healthcare, adequate housing, or
education.
In the United Kingdom, the number of asylum applications has surged significantly in recent years.
According to the UK’s Home Office, there were 78,768 asylum applications in the year ending June 2023, marking a 19 per cent increase compared to the previous year.
This figure surpasses the number of applications during the European migration crisis in 2016 and represents the highest number in two decades.
During my time at the Bell Farm Christian Centre, as a fellow migrant, I had the privilege of meeting individuals who were awaiting decisions on their asylum requests or undergoing processing in the UK.
Among them were individuals fleeing war, persecution, and violence, arriving with nothing more than the clothes on their backs.
These migrants encompassed a diverse range of backgrounds, such as professionals, non-professionals, mothers with children, and elderly individuals who should be enjoying their retirement.
They had different reasons for seeking asylum, including political persecution, marginalisation, and issues related to their sexuality, among others.
These migrants, hailing from various countries, possess real-life experiences that bear witness to their resilience and potential contributions to the UK’s economy. One individual I encountered was Umar, a 27-year-old Syrian asylum seeker volunteering at the Bell Farm Christian Centre, which is located in the heart of West Drayton, Middlesex.
Standing at an impressive six feet and 1.23 inches, Umar had a captivating presence. He possessed a golden voice and a friendly demeanour. Umar’s journey to the UK began through legal means, as he secured a job opportunity in a restaurant sponsored by the owner.
However, Umar’s story took a grim turn upon his arrival. He was subjected to modern slavery when his employer refused to pay his salary and coerced him into working long hours without compensation.
He found himself sharing a shelter with five other individuals facing similar circumstances. Umar’s case is currently under investigation, highlighting the prevalence of such exploitative practices.
The immense stress and mental instability resulting from his ordeal caused Umar to develop unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as smoking 25 to 30 cigarettes a day.
Seeking medical assistance, he started receiving treatment and witnessed a significant reduction in his cigarette consumption. He was also prescribed a medicine to further aid him in his efforts to quit smoking altogether.
Volunteering at the Bell Farm has proven to be instrumental in Umar’s healing process.
He shared that it not only provides him with a valuable way to spend his time but also broadens his perspective on humanity as a whole.
Umar believes that each migrant and refugee bears a unique story, and by listening to them, he can help them find solutions to their problems, connect them with charitable support, and contribute to their healing processes.
In turn, this work has facilitated Umar’s own integration and paved the way for a brighter future.
Umar’s story is just one among many. The experiences of those seeking sanctuary shed light on their resilience, determination, and unwavering hope in the face of adversity.
Photo credit: Mauro Mora, Unsplash
Exodus 
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