UK Enterprise Awards 2021

245 | UK Enterprise Awards 2021 Best Refugee Humanitarian Aid Relief Provider - Europe Set up in response to the refugee crisis, OHOB is a registered charity providing essential humanitarian aid support to refugees in Europe and food aid and resettlement support in the Southwest of England. Operating via a group of volunteers from Devon and Cornwall, OHOB organises aid appeals, collections and fundraising throughout the year. Founder and Chair of OHOB, Faraday Fearnside, manages and co-ordinates the organisation, with Hannah Dunn who organises the shipments and the team of volunteers. “OHOB represents kindness, compassion, and a welcoming and integrated world,” she enthuses. “We have built a solid and lasting foundation of kindness, compassion, love, and support to those less fortunate.” The first humanitarian aid collection started as a small project in September 2015 and was shipped to France in November of that year. The project was initially set up with no money or any idea of what the next six months would bring. Starting at a grass roots level, OHOB has sustained its momentum thanks to all of its supporters and donors. “We may only be a small local charity but we have impacted in a global way. We work in the local community for the global community. Over the last 6 years we have been quietly supporting 1000’s of men, women and children not only with humanitarian aid in Greece and France but also with resettlement support here in the United Kingdom.” The charity partnered with Attika Human Support in Lesvos Greece, which operates the largest aid warehouse on the island. Over the last 4 years OHOB organised the shipment of 6 x 40ft containers to Attika. Each container was filled with humanitarian aid including shelter, warmth, food, hygiene items and clothing. “Without regular deliveries of aid from the UK and Europe they cannot sustain the growing need. Humanitarian aid is important, as it supports the growing number of refugees on the Greek islands” states Faraday. “In addition to the container aid shipped to Greece, we have supported refugees based in Dunkirk, France. This is done through the community collections and at times direct deliveries to France.” As well as collections and deliveries, OHOBprovides the practical support needed to resettle and rebuild the lives of refugees. This includes supplying or purchasing household items, clothing, personal or food items. “Our work also extends into the local community in the South West region. Through our Food Aid and Resettlement Support Projects, we directly help those who have been affected by poverty, socio-economic circumstance, societal disadvantage or conflict. We provide where needed families or individuals with emergency food provision, hygiene provision, household goods, baby items or grants and payments for goods and services that they may needed on a short-term basis.” In 2019, OHOB became the proud distributor for an arts-based education project called Rafi + Friends that aims to support, empower, and educate young people around the world. The project is built around a series of series of story books including ‘Rafi the Refugee Rabbit’ and ‘Rafi’s New Friend Gemma,’ with a third book in the series ‘Rafi and the Amazing Rainbow’ due to be released in October 2021. “OHOB and the Rafi + Friends’ team distribute workshops built around simple stories of hope to children in schools in the United Kingdom, and the books and workshops have been delivered in refugee camps throughout Europe.” Despite the Covid-19 pandemic halting deliveries, Faraday is optimistic for the future as things start to get back on track. “We will continue to address the immediate need of refugees and work towards a culture of acceptance and understanding,” she explains. “We believe that by working together we can create a more peaceful world and achieve so much more.” It’s no wonder that the charity was recently awarded the prestigious accolade of Best Refugee Humanitarian Aid Relief Provider – Europe, and Faraday believes this is a testament to the incredible work of all involved with OHOB. “We may only be a small charity, but we have achieved great things on a global scale. As the founder, I had no idea what a beautiful charity would be created and I am so very proud of all those who have helped us to get to where we are. Life is about helping others and being of service and I feel that OHOB does this perfectly.” Contact: Faraday Fearnside Company: OHOB Ltd Web Address: www.ohob.org.uk Email: [email protected] OHOB is a registered charitable organisation providing essential support to those in need, whether because of conflict, socio-economic status, circumstance or homelessness. Faraday Fearnside tells us more about the charity and its mission. Jun21155