Public Meetings on Grenfell Tower Fire

Muslim Aid has been attending the weekly public meetings of Grenfell Fire Response Team.  The purpose of the meetings is to provide updates and guidance on services available to survivors and the bereaved, and to give them the opportunity for face-to-face question and answer sessions.  The team includes London councils, the Mayor of London’s Office, central government, the British Red Cross, the Met Police, the London Fire Brigade and voluntary groups.  

The Grenfell community have expressed anger and frustration at the slow progress of the authorities in providing support for trauma, housing, medical needs, legal advice and other psychological and practical needs. 

By contrast, the Grenfell community have repeatedly praised the work of the volunteers, like those of Grenfell Muslim Response Unit, who came to their assistance as soon as the disaster happened and have been supporting since.

The Grenfell Muslim Response Unit is a coalition of delivery partners and aid agencies, of which Muslim Aid is part, along with the National Zakat Foundation which has been making the cash grants to victims.  Eden Care and Muslim Burial Fund are also delivery partners.

“As investigations continue inside the tower, the number of deaths is expected to increase

in the coming weeks,” says Zac Hussain, Muslim Aid’s Director Business Development, “And the ongoing bereavement support is planned to continue”.

Sajid Javid, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, wrote to residents promising them that the taskforce brought in after public outrage over the response to the disaster would be in place for “however long is necessary”.

In the letter, which was available at last night’s meeting, Javid wrote: “I know there is a journey ahead of us to support you in rebuilding your lives, and to understand how such a devastating tragedy could have happened in the first place.”  Meetings are held in the churches and mosque buildings where survivors sought refuge on the night of the fire.