Ms Yara Alagha:

Like many community developments, we plead for safe, adequate and ring-fenced funding. I should make clear in the context of our recommendations and requests that Amal Association, Safetynet and MRCI are not born out of the desire for migrants to have extra rights or more provisions granted to them through growth needs. The migrant community is still at a level of securing its existence. Amal Women's Association was established on that basis and is meeting the needs of the most disadvantaged communities. In the absence of necessary State provisions for migrants, Amal Association fills those gaps and does the work of the State. For example, there are our yearly Ramadan and Eid campaigns during the most important and holiest month and festivities for Muslims during which they engage in day-long fasts for 30 days. Amal Association visits direct provision centres and low-income households with packs containing food items that can be consumed when they break their fasts, which in most cases is outside the food-serving hours in direct provision centres. We also provide essential items such as sanitary packs and try to incorporate a festive feeling for the children with toys and activities during our visit. They would otherwise be stuck within the four walls of the rooms in the direct provision centre. We provide basic human necessities to allow a migrant to live a dignified life. We would love to work with the State to ensure the organisations doing the work of the State are properly funded and supported, that there are no disruptions to our services and that we can expand them. I thank the Chair and members.