Refugee family to be reunited in Sheffield after community group raises money for flights

Community group, the South Yorkshire Migration Asylum Action Group (SYMAAG) have worked to raise funds to fly a separated refugee family from Iran to reunite them here in Sheffield.

Co-chair of the group Manuchehr XKalekiX said that because The Red Cross were unable to financially help the family reunite SYMAAG decided to set up a GoFundMe page to raise the money they would need to pay for flights for two women and one child.

He said: “The family is so happy. When I came to see the two brothers that are here, they were so happy it was incredible.

“It didn’t take long at all to raise the funds thanks to SYMAAG and St. Marks church Sheffield. We opened the GoFundMe page at around the 18th of December, raised £1000 and now the brother’s wives and one ten year old girl will be arriving on Sunday. I’m really proud and happy to know that the family will be here.”

Conditions in Iran are difficult for many due to the oppressive regime that exists there.

Manuchehr met the two brothers in the refugee camp nicknamed ‘The Jungle’ in Calais.

He heard their story of why they had to flee Iran, leaving their wives and family behind.

Manu said the wife of one of the brothers was suffering due to their traumatic separation and had been battling depression after 16 months without her husband.