Frequently Asked Questions
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General questions
What is the difference between a refugee and a migrant? The level of despair and distress of a migrant can be just the same as that of a refugee, however, there are several differences, in domestic an international law, in terms of what the person's reasons for migrating are, and in terms of what countries have an obligation to do for that person.
Generally, we understand that a refugee never planned or wanted to leave their home, but was forced to, either by war, or by having being subjected to persecution were they were. on the other hand a migrant is a more general term, describing a person who decided to leave his country and build his life somewhere else, but the decision was theirs to make. For example, expats are migrants. It is understood commonly that if a migrant had to return home, he or she wouldn't face persecution as such, although that could mean being subjected to other dangers, climatic, economic.
Refugees fall under by a specific set of laws taking into account the risk they are exposed to if forced to go home. Migrant fall under immigration laws of their country and the country they reach.
Generally, we understand that a refugee never planned or wanted to leave their home, but was forced to, either by war, or by having being subjected to persecution were they were. on the other hand a migrant is a more general term, describing a person who decided to leave his country and build his life somewhere else, but the decision was theirs to make. For example, expats are migrants. It is understood commonly that if a migrant had to return home, he or she wouldn't face persecution as such, although that could mean being subjected to other dangers, climatic, economic.
Refugees fall under by a specific set of laws taking into account the risk they are exposed to if forced to go home. Migrant fall under immigration laws of their country and the country they reach.
What is the difference between a refugee and and asylum seeker?
When a refugee reaches a country that they think is safe for them and want to settle there, if they claim for asylum straightaway, that country is bound by international law to help them and, first of all, not send them back to the dangerous zone they fled. But its end, the country has the right to check thoroughly that the person seeking asylum is telling the truth and fits the criteria of what legally defines a refugee. between the moment they claim asylum and the moment the country says that they believe them, they are "asylum seekers". If the State says, after all the checks, "yes, we believe you, we grant you refugee status", then the person is officially "a refugee" in that country.
Before you get a positive outcome, you are not allowed to work in the UK (there are rare exceptions, no one we met or talked to in the refugee support field has ever met an asylum seeker able to work.). If you get refugee status, you get a National Insurance number and you can seek work.
The rules and waiting times are different depending on the countries.
When a refugee reaches a country that they think is safe for them and want to settle there, if they claim for asylum straightaway, that country is bound by international law to help them and, first of all, not send them back to the dangerous zone they fled. But its end, the country has the right to check thoroughly that the person seeking asylum is telling the truth and fits the criteria of what legally defines a refugee. between the moment they claim asylum and the moment the country says that they believe them, they are "asylum seekers". If the State says, after all the checks, "yes, we believe you, we grant you refugee status", then the person is officially "a refugee" in that country.
Before you get a positive outcome, you are not allowed to work in the UK (there are rare exceptions, no one we met or talked to in the refugee support field has ever met an asylum seeker able to work.). If you get refugee status, you get a National Insurance number and you can seek work.
The rules and waiting times are different depending on the countries.
Do you have a question? Whether general or specific, feel free to ask us: email us your question, and we will reply to the best of our knowledge. Some questions will feature on this page.
email: [email protected]
email: [email protected]
Questions about Dorking Refugee Support
Are you a charity?
No, we are, at present, an informal group. We are considering becoming a charity or even a CIC, a mini social enterprise, if we grow to the point where it becomes necessary. But so far, being small enough, we preferred the philosophy of multiple, coordinated individual efforts aimed at staying relatively free from money imperatives, and desirous, also by principle, to not seek public funding or big donations or become dependent on them, rather to function with other assets: time, knowledge, space, availability, empathy, solidarity, and when we need to fundraise, we do one-offs with a clear specific purpose, or fundraisers for groups which do have charity status, like Anaya Aid.
No, we are, at present, an informal group. We are considering becoming a charity or even a CIC, a mini social enterprise, if we grow to the point where it becomes necessary. But so far, being small enough, we preferred the philosophy of multiple, coordinated individual efforts aimed at staying relatively free from money imperatives, and desirous, also by principle, to not seek public funding or big donations or become dependent on them, rather to function with other assets: time, knowledge, space, availability, empathy, solidarity, and when we need to fundraise, we do one-offs with a clear specific purpose, or fundraisers for groups which do have charity status, like Anaya Aid.
How many volunteers, staff do you have?
We have one main coordinator who is supported by local volunteers. Dorking Refugee Support is always key to encourage people to do their bit. Whether it is building relationships with groups on the ground, establishing potential venues for future events and generally keeping their ear to the ground. We have over 600 members on Facebook, and relay information to and from them.
We have one main coordinator who is supported by local volunteers. Dorking Refugee Support is always key to encourage people to do their bit. Whether it is building relationships with groups on the ground, establishing potential venues for future events and generally keeping their ear to the ground. We have over 600 members on Facebook, and relay information to and from them.