17/25 New Inn Street

London EC2A 3EA

conference date: 16 and 17 August 2013

Dear Friends

ERSA-UK would very much like to invite you for its special conference titled “Making a difference to the lives of refugees”

Every month there are over 2000 people, mostly the youth, leaving Eritrea. In most occasions, they cross the border to Sudan, Ethiopia and Djibouti on the journey to the promised lands where they could get protection.  In countries such as Yemen, Djibouti, Egypt, Libya and Israel they face imprisonment and other forms of abuse. The level of torture they face at the hands of human traffickers in Sinai/ Egypt is the most harrowing. Hundreds, including children and women, have been kidnapped and held captive in chains until ransom is paid by relatives living in rich countries whom themselves live in a relatively poor state. Those who fail to pay ransom are often murdered in cold blood and their organs sold to collect lucrative profits. Their bodies are thrown in refuse dumps.

Surprisingly their traumatic experience is less known by the wider world. After the arduous and dangerous journeys, the few lucky ones who manage to cross to safety in the Western Countries face further social and economic disadvantages.

This conference  will bring together Eritrean community leaders and community members from across the UK, as well as representatives from a range of different charitable organisations offering support services to disadvantages people, particularly those from BAMER (Black Asian Minority Ethnic Refugee) groups.

The main focus of the 2 day conference will be:

1. Issues that refugees in the UK currently face:

Issues of health, housing, employment, education, benefits and health will be discussed. There will also be more focus on mental health problems.

2. Problems faced by refugees in camps in Ethiopia and Sudan:

Refugees in the two countries face shortage of basic needs including food, health and education. Conference participants will debate whether the Diaspora and the international community can organise material assistance.

3. The tragedy of human trafficking in the Sinai:

Despite human trafficking being an International moral issue, there is little information regarding the horrors Eritreans and other African nationalities are facing.  Participants will discuss ways of highlighting their plights and recommend measures for stopping them.

The two days will be a great opportunity to meet people and organisations engaged in helping refugees and also provide a platform to debate with people from across the charity sector. Eritreans will also have a chance to meet and discuss issues faced by their community and explore ways of possible joint action to help those in distress.

Participation within this event is free of charge and luch will be provided. As spaces are limited, we kindly request people to contact us to reserve a space. We are able to offer a limited number of table spaces to organisations that would like to come and set up a stall about their activities and services, agains this need to be reserved in advance. For more information and to book  your place  please e-mail info@ersauk.com. Tel.(+44)  020 7018 0884. . Please specify whether you would like to attend on the 16th or 17th or both dates.

Speakers include

Dr. Alganesh Fessaha –Tragedy in Sinai/Egypt

UNHCR

British Council

BBC Correspondent

Europe External Policy Advisors

Conference Team

NB: With the cooperation of

Eritrean Education and Publication Trust (EEPT)

Migrant Voice

Network of Eritrean women in UK

African Women empowerment and Information Centre