Scottish Refugee Council is marking its 40th anniversary this year.
Starting with a handful of staff and volunteers working out of a shoebox office in Edinburgh, we were formed in 1985. The charity was set up in response to the growing need to support people fleeing the humanitarian crisis in Vietnam.
As Scotland opened its doors to people seeking protection from persecution and violent conflicts all over the world, our organisation grew quickly. In the first few years, we supported hundreds of people displaced from Bosnia and Kosovo.
In 1999, when Glasgow signed up to the UK dispersal scheme to welcome people seeking asylum from all over the world, we moved our headquarters to Scotland’s biggest city. During this time, we worked with people seeking protection from Iran and Iraq, Somalia, Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo and many other parts of the world.
Timeline: read more about the past 40 years of refugees in Scotland.
Since then, we have continued to help people fleeing the war in Syria, the invasion of Ukraine, ongoing conflicts in Sudan, violently repressive regimes such as Iran and Eritrea, the collapse of government in Afghanistan, and many other countries where human rights violations are commonplace.
Today we operate Scotland-wide. Our HQ remains in Glasgow, but our team of staff and volunteers work across all of Scotland to offer advice and support to refugees, wherever they are, and connect communities all over the country.
‘The last forty years have given us many friendships’
Our CEO Sabir Zazai reflects on four decades of Scottish Refugee Council:
“Over the last 40 years we have been on a shared journey in Scotland towards a place of hope, welcome and hospitality for people seeking refugee protection. Our work at Scottish Refugee Council reflects the wider warm welcome extended by people right across the country, putting Scotland on the global map as a place of safety and compassion.
“The last four decades have given us many friendships and led to rich, blended communities. People who have resettled here have brought so many unique talents, gifts and cultural contributions – new foods, languages, businesses and so much more.
“There has been many difficult times over the last forty years, but what gives us hope is the people we work with. The strength and resilience of people who have had their lives turned upside down through no fault of their own, and the kindness of local communities. Over the years, we have seen huge numbers of people stand with us in our work, through fundraising and donating, speaking up for refugee rights and standing up for neighbours and friends.”
Read more about our 40th anniversary plans here.
