"You just don't know what's gonna happen tomorrow".
British citizen Musaab Mohamed-Elhassan fled Sudan and is now homeless in Essex.
Musaab Mohamed-Elhassan was born in the UK but grew up in Sudan. He returned to England in 1998 where he studied for a degree, but feeling homesick, he moved back to Sudan to care for his mother.
Since the war started, Musaab fled Sudan and is now homeless.
大象传媒 Essex's Sonia Watson spoke to Musaab Mohamed-Elhassan, as well as Maria Wilby from Refugee, Asylum Seeker & Migrant Action in Colchester, and Clive Emmett from the Uttlesford Community Action Network which has been helping with the arrival of Sudanese refugees at London Stansted Airport.
A government spokesperson said:
鈥淲e have been working intensively to evacuate British Nationals and their dependents, since the outbreak of violence in Sudan, in a complex and highly volatile environment. So far we have brought more than 1,800 people to safety with the latest flight scheduled to arrive on 2 May.鈥
鈥淲hen arrivals do not have immediate accommodation available, the local authority may provide temporary accommodation and then support people to move on. Councils have a duty to ensure families are not left without a roof over their heads.鈥
The government spokesman added the following background information:
We are working with local partners and monitoring the situation closely to ensure that we can respond appropriately. The Government wants to ensure UK nationals returning from Sudan can access benefits, social housing, and homelessness assistance even if they are not habitually resident in the UK. Further to guidance issued by DWP on 27 April, the Government now intends to change the rules so that the Habitual Residence Test is disapplied to UK nationals returning from Sudan, subject to parliamentary approval. We will do this at the earliest opportunity. In the meantime, local authorities should seek to apply maximum flexibility.
A spokesperson for Colchester City Council said:
鈥淚f any British national arriving in Colchester from Sudan requires advice and assistance with accommodation, they are advised to contact the city council鈥檚 Housing Solutions team.
鈥淲e have established a contact telephone number (01206 636966), which will be available between 9.30am and 4.00pm Monday to Friday (not bank holidays), for those seeking advice and assistance. All enquiries will be assessed under Homelessness legislation and guidance.
鈥淭he Humanitarian Assistance Centre provided by Uttlesford District Council, with support from partners, can be contacted by on 03333 408218.鈥
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