Asylum seekers living in makeshift camps in Dublin are facing threats of violence and the harsh realities of approaching winter. Volunteers are calling for a “cold weather strategy” to protect them.
Homeless asylum seekers in Dublin fear attack and the encroaching coldWaterways Ireland begins canal patrols to prevent tents being pitched and to safeguard fencing
“This cohort, because they cannot access the homelessness hostels, are particularly vulnerable,” says Aubrey McCarthy, chairman of the Tiglin homelessness charity, who was at the camp doing outreach work. “Any cold weather initiative, regardless of ethnicity, has to take into account anybody who is sleeping on the streets. Otherwise, you are dealing with potential deaths.”
“We are deeply concerned by the number of international protection applicants without accommodation,” he says. Figures published on Friday show the number of male, adult asylum seekers has climbed to 2,612 – up 24 since Tuesday. Volunteers, who have been working with this cohort since March, when large-scale encampments emerged following a previous decision that single, adult, male international protection applicants would not be offered accommodation on presentation at the International Protection Office, say the camps “cannot continue into the winter”.
They say “warm men’s jackets, blankets, duvets, hats and gloves, and hot water bottles are urgently needed”.
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