16^th -22^nd of June is Refugee Week. In support of Refugee Week, the British Red Cross launched a campaign to highlight the contribution that refugees make to life in the UK. The campaign gave young refugees and asylum seekers a platform to tell their story through video diaries, showcased through sites such as Facebook, Bebo and YouTube, as well as the British Red Cross website http://www.redcross.org.uk/refugeeweek The campaign is supported by Scottish actor Dougray Scott.

Dougray Scott explains: “Young people – including children who may have arrived in Britain alone and without their family – can be particularly vulnerable. Some have experienced violence and trauma and need extra support. The Red Cross helps them access essential services and find their way around.”

In 2006, 3,245 unaccompanied asylum-seeking children aged 17 or under claimed asylum in the UK, with the majority of them coming from Afghanistan (30%), Iran (10%), Eritrea (10%) and Somalia (8%). Reasons included the death of their parents, detention and torture, forced recruitment as child soldiers, persecution due to ethnic group, or the political activities of their family.

Nick Scott-Flynn, head of British Red Cross refugee services, said: “The Red Cross Movement protects people fleeing conflict throughout the world and that includes those who arrive in the UK. Refugees make an enormous contribution to the UK, socially, culturally and economically, and Refugee Week is a chance to celebrate that fact."

Refugee Week is drawing to a close and although the spotlight may be shifting away from refugee affairs, refugees and asylum seekers arriving in the UK continue to struggle with issues such as how to adjust to life in a new country, learn the language, make friends and access key services such as health care and education.

The Red Cross supports refugees and unaccompanied asylum seeking children to adjust to life in a new country, make friends and access essential services such as health care and education. The Red Cross can even put young people back in touch with lost family members through the international tracing and messaging service.

To find out more about the Red Cross’s refugee services and hear the stories of some young refugees who were helped by the British Red Cross and who are now helping others, please visit www.redcross.org.uk/refugeeweek