Doras Christmas Appeal helps those in Direct Provision this Winter 

Doras Christmas Appeal helps supply food, clothes and phone credit to adults and children living in Direct Provision.

Doras Christmas Appeal helps those in Direct Provision this Winter 

By I Love Limerick correspondent Rachel Petticrew

Donations to the Doras Christmas Appeal can be made through the organisation’s GoFundMe page, over the phone, or in person at the Doras Office, 51 O’Connell Street, Limerick. (Picture taken before social distancing)

Migrant support organisation Doras is asking the people of Limerick to support their Christmas Appeal, which helps supply food, clothes and phone credit to adults and children living in Direct Provision.

The Limerick-based charity, which recently celebrated its 21st anniversary, supports asylum seekers by fighting for their right to live and work in Ireland, in addition to strongly opposing Direct Provision. 

Doras CEO, John Lannon, believes those living in Direct Provision need support now more than ever before. 

“The pandemic has brought challenges to us all. It has affected our way of life in so many ways, particularly during the lockdowns. People living in Direct Provision are especially affected. They are living in often cramped conditions away from family, friends, the people they know and love,” tells Mr Lannon.

“They are here seeking a new life, away from poverty and persecution. The loneliness and isolation they face, especially not knowing what their future brings, can be crippling and takes a severe toll on peoples mental health.”

While Doras welcomes the government’s recent commitment to ending Direct Provision, the organisation urges people not to forget those still living within the system. 

Please support our Christmas appeal.

300+ children & adults will spend Christmas in #DirectProvision centres in the #Limerick region. Our campaign aims to send residents some love with vouchers for food, clothing and phone credit. ? https://t.co/A69TahSfE2 #GivingTuesday pic.twitter.com/3O5XqZobNh

— Doras.org (@DorasIRL) November 30, 2021

“There remains an urgency and immediacy to the support that asylum seekers and Doras need. That is why community support is so vital,” says Mr Lannon.

Donations to the Doras Christmas Appeal can be made through the organisation’s GoFundMe page, over the phone, or in person at the Doras Office, 51 O’Connell Street, Limerick.

Doras receives no core funding, supporting those in need and running awareness campaigns through generous donations alone.

“The work we do, which supports thousands each year, relies on the support of the community,”  Mr Lannon explains. 

“We don’t take that support for granted, and want to thank everyone who has kept the doors open over the past 21 years.”

To donate to the Doras Christmas Appeal, go HERE 

To read more about Doras’ 21-year history, go HERE 

To learn more about Doras, go HERE 

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