As the national organisation representing and supporting Jewish refugees who fled and survived Nazi oppression, and made Britain a home following the horrors of the Holocaust and Second World War, the Association of Jewish Refugees (AJR) is deeply worried about the tragedy unfolding in Ukraine.
We are gravely concerned for the immediate welfare of all Ukrainian citizens who will be displaced, including Holocaust survivors and victims of crimes against humanity, all of whom will be impacted by Russian military aggression. Having already experienced unimaginable suffering during the Holocaust, and then under Communism, the survivors once again find themselves in need of sanctuary.
We stand ready to offer our unique support to any Holocaust survivor from Ukraine who has now found refuge in the United Kingdom. In addition to the funds we disburse granted to us by the Claims Conference, following their negotiations with the German government, the AJR administers its own social welfare assistance that can provide immediate relief.
We also call upon our government to once again demonstrate its humanitarian compassion and simplify the process to enable those fleeing their homes to be able to find sanctuary here. The AJR exists today because of the welcome given to the Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi oppression. The atrocities being committed have all the echoes of crimes against humanity and we urge the government to act now to give safe harbour to those who have been displaced and whose lives are at risk. Specifically, the government needs to demonstrate a commitment to moving innocent civilians out of harm’s way.
The AJR encourages anyone wishing to help to donate to the World Jewish Relief campaign. WJR is the successor to the Central British Fund for German Jewry, which helped facilitate the escape of some 70,000 Jewish refugees from Central Europe prior to the outbreak of the Second World War. It has for many years directly supported Jewish communities in Ukraine – and other Former Soviet Union countries – and is vastly experienced in responding to international crises. WJR is working with local agencies in Ukraine and neighbouring countries to where the refugees have fled.
The inhumanity of the Holocaust is seared into the consciousness of the AJR and our members. We deplore the senseless invasion and strongly urge a de-escalation so that peace can return to Europe.
