TOWNS and cities across the north have mobilised to offer practical help and solidarity for refugees fleeing the war-torn Middle East to seek sanctuary in Europe, the US and Canada.
Belfast citizens have been urged to demonstrate their solidarity for people caught up in the refugee crisis by attending a vigil in at the city hall on Monday.
Sinn Féin lord mayor Arder Carson said a huge attendance at the 5pm gathering "will underline the city's reputation for compassion and generosity and willingness to help others".
"This event can send out a powerful message that Belfast is a warm, caring, welcoming city," he said.
It was organised after a meeting Mr Carson hosted yesterday morning with a range of charities and pressure groups trying to co-ordinate Belfast's response.
The vigil will be followed by a special meeting of Belfast City Council at 6pm to discuss the crisis.
An even larger rally is expected at 2.30pm Saturday September 12 when people from across Northern Ireland are expected to make the effort to travel to the city hall to show their support for the 'Refugees Welcome' message.
The second rally is being organised by Amnesty International NI, who have called for the north's politicians to show in deeds as well as words that they stand ready to lend a hand to the displaced people flooding into Europe.
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness has said Northern Ireland "could take a couple of thousand refugees" at first.
However, Patrick Corrigan from Amnesty International said no one in the north has gone as far as Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and begun talking about how they are ready to begin working with the Home Office to get the jurisdiction ready to do its bit.
"They need to be talking about how they are going to get the various agencies and health trusts together and organise how we can prepare for those who come and what we can offer them," he said.
Mr Corrigan has said he was willing to personally host a refugee family, but stressed that that "could not be a long term solution".
Newry, Armagh and Down councillors Kevin McAteer and Patrick Brown have requested an emergency motion at Monday's meeting calling for the UK government to "show leadership and devote resources to help those in need" and pledging the council will offer sanctuary to hundreds of refugees.
Philip Nye from Downpatrick, Co Down, recalled how his parents took in a family from Hungary into their Kent home in 1956 when he was 10-years-old.
"Then there were 20,000 as opposed to the (number) that the UK has taken so far. There was a view then 'these are people in great difficulty and what could we do?' We could offer them a space for them while the other agencies found lodgings and schools," he said.
"We had a different prime minister then. Anthony Eden, who you might not think would be receptive, but we did have a philanthropic Conservative government then."
In 1979, Craigavon, Co Armagh took in around 19 families who had fled government repression in Vietnam several years after the end of the Vietnam War.
Most moved to London after a short time, although two families have remained in the area.
Derry City and Strabane District mayor Elisha McCallion said she is "in talks" with Trócaire about the launch of a district-wide campaign of support for the refugees.
At a rally on Thursday, the city declared its doors "open to refugees in crisis". A second vigil will take place at 5pm on Monday in the Guildhall Square.
Ms McCallion called on people to "turn out in force".
"While the politicians prevaricate we can take action and show our support by providing practical aid, and helping families who are merely trying to find a safe place to live for their children."
Anyone interested in volunteering can contact mayor@derrystrabane.com
Alliance assembly member Stewart Dickson's constituency office at West Street, Carrickfergus, Co Antrim is taking donations of items for the refugee crisis.
Nobel Peace Laureate, Mairead Maguire warned that the UK government "has a moral responsibility" to the refugees currently fleeing in fear.
"Successive British governments have spent billions on wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, plus a covert intervention in Syria," she said.
"Such policies have resulted in the destruction of infrastructure across the Middle East and the growth of terrorism in the regions."
Two thousand people have pledged support to a group called Northern Ireland Calais Refugee Solidarity, just days after it was set up to organise local collection points for donations of essential items such as camping equipment, clothing, shoes and bedding.
Details at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/NICalaisRefugeeSolidarity
