British public spreads 'refugees welcome' message online
Yesterday's tragic images of a young Syrian boy washed ashore on a beach in Turkey have shocked many Britons into using social media to say that those fleeing war and persecution are welcome in the UK.
People across Britain are calling on the government to address the plight of those trying to escape conflict in their home countries.
A petition urging the Government to accept more asylum seekers and increase support for refugees in the UK has gained more than 100,000 signatures and an associated social media campaign #refugeeswelcome has been a top trend on Twitter.
Laura Padoan from the UNHCR, which is providing food, water and help to refugees fleeing Syria and elsewhere, said the organisation has seen a major spike in donations over the past week.
She said:
She said Britons are being moved to take action because the shocking images beamed across the world are "very much on Britain's doorstep".
Ms Padoan said the public's response suggests the country is far more willing to welcome refugees than comments from politicians suggest.
The haunting images of a Aylan, a three-year-old Syrian Kurdish refugee who was found dead on a Turkish beach yesterday were so shocking it could prompt a change in how most British people see the crisis.
The Syrian refugee crisis is the worst the United Nations organisation has seen in 25 years and Britain needs to do more to offer homes to those fleeing violence and persecution, she warned.
She said: "We do feel there could be a much greater response in terms of offering or increasing the number of resettlement places, because that is the only way we'll prevent people putting their lives at risk in the hands of smugglers."
Meanwhile, 92-year-old RAF veteran Harry Leslie Smith said via Twitter that he was shocked to see another refugee crisis like that which affected Europe at the end of the Second World War.
Tory backbenchers have joined the growing calls for Britain to do more, including Nadhim Zahawi, an ally of Mr Cameron who sits on the No 10 policy board.
What can you do to help?
There are several online petitions aimed at raising awareness and urging politicians to act; the most popular so far being the one on the parliament website which has now surpassed 100,000.
Several charities and organisations are raising funds or arranging for donations to be sent out to help in camps in Calais and elsewhere:
Folkestone United: Are organising protests and transporting donated goods to Calais in September.
North East Solidarity with Calais Refugees: A group buying bedding, food and warm clothing.
Calais Migrant Solidarity: Are organising groups across the UK to sort donations and deliver aid throughout the winter.
Association Salam: 19-year-old Tom McElholm is driving to Calais with food supplies for the camps there. He was raised over £3,000 so far.
Coach and Horses Soho: The London pub is raising money to provide people stranded in Calais with a "decent meal" because "British values are about respect,dignity,kindness."
Red Cross Europe, Save the Children and Refugee Action are also accepting cash donations via their websites.