Kindertransport Survivors Call On Amber Rudd to Transfer 1,000 Children Before Christmas

Dear Home Secretary,

In the last month we have witnessed the best of our country. In response to the demolition of the Calais refugee camp over 300 unaccompanied children were brought to the UK. We pay credit to you for the swift and decisive action taken, and to the countless charities and individuals who ensured children were kept safe.

However our country’s obligation to the children of Calais does not stop here. Over 1600 children from the Calais camp remain in France in temporary accommodation. Many have family here, hundreds more are eligible for sanctuary in the UK through the Dubs legislation.

It has been over 2 weeks since the last regular arrivals to the UK with no confirmation when they will restart and for how many children. Children are anxious and concerned and some have already disappeared from the shelters.

These children must not be forgotten.

During the camp demolition you told Parliament that you believed it would be a good outcome if Britain took in ‘half’ of the total number of children. We agree.

It is now clear that there were some 2000 unaccompanied children in Calais at the time of demolition. We therefore urge you to fulfil the commitment you made and pledge to transfer 1000 of the Calais children by Christmas. Compared to the 95,000 unaccompanied children who arrived in Europe last year in the refugee crisis, this is not too big an ask.

Britain has a proud history of welcoming children fleeing conflict and persecution. As Kindertransport survivors and family members we are testament to this courage and compassion.

We urge you to demonstrate these values again now in your response to the Calais children left behind in France.

Sir Erich Reich, Chair of Association of Jewish Refugees Kindertransport group
Barbara Winton
Professor Sir Simon Wessely, President, RCPsych
Myrna Bernard
Henry Martin Wuga MBE
Ingrid Wuga (Wolff)
John Fieldsend
Rabbi Harri Jacobi
Hannah Kirk
Robert Samuel Kirk
Ernest Simon
Susanne Pearson
Father Francis Wahle
Hanna Ruth Singer
Hanna Elsa Shamash
Hilary Tilley
Ruth Barnett
Anne Rogers
Hilary Hodsman
Robert Jayson
Peter Jonathan Hodsman
Lia Lesser (nee)Blum
Ruth Evans
Hana Kleiner
John Goodman