As the UK government's plan to deport people seeking asylum to Rwanda develops, we are hearing reports of friends and churches feeling worried, confused and even panicked. This includes Christian brothers and sisters, who have fled their home countries for following Jesus, and who now risk deportation to Rwanda. 

So what can we do?

Now more than ever, we need to connect people seeking asylum to local support - we need to connect them to local church communities. People seeking asylum need local friends to walk with them during this very difficult and uncertain time. Evidence has shown that, when a crisis comes, people seeking asylum rely on informal networks to get advice and information. Local churches are one of the best examples in the UK of communities that people seeking asylum rely on in times of crisis.

We are supporting local churches across the UK who are working with people at risk of deportation to Rwanda. We are helping churches to understand the information there is around the Rwanda plan, and will continue to provide updates, resources and training in the months to come. Our Church Engagement Team is now gathering information and supporting affected churches. We are also organising an emergency online event for churches to find out how to support their asylum-seeking friends at a time like this.