North London councils urge support after Turkey and Syria quakes

Islington’s leader Kaya Comer-Schwartz is amongst the politicians calling on Home Secretary Suella Braverman to urgently allow visa extension applications from Turkish and Syrian nationals in the UK on compassionate grounds for  people whose visa are set to expire but are unable to go home because of the disaster.

They also want the government to speed up decisions for those waiting to enter the UK and set up a programme of temporary visas, which could be time limited for those affected by the disaster.

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She said: “This way, the UK could play its part in supporting a region that is suffering so much right now and our community can try to be reunited with their loved ones.”

Islington, Hackney, Haringey and Enfield have large Turkish, Kurdish and Syrian communities who have been bereaved by the earthquakes and are fundraising to support relief work.

Others have family and friends left without shelter or supplies and needing "urgent assistance” and they are desperate about their welfare.

Earthquake vigil , pic Julia Gregory, free for use by partners of BBC news wire service

The letter, which was also signed by Hackney’s mayor Philip Glanville, Haringey Council leader Cllr Peray Ahmet and Enfield’s cabinet member for community safety Cllr Gina Needs, along with other senior colleagues, described the “heart-warming” response from the community in North London.

They said: “People in our boroughs are determined to help in any way we can right now and we urge the Government to open up our country to those in need.”

Walid Saffour, Muslim Welfare House earthquake vigil , Islington town hall, pic Julia Gregory, free for use by partners of BBC news wire service

They told the Home Secretary: “Our boroughs has a long history of welcoming those in need. Many are working towards becoming Boroughs of Sanctuary and local people opened their homes last year to those affected by the war in Ukraine. As we are now seeing another humanitarian emergency unfold, we are keen to help in any way we can. There could be millions of people displaced by the tragedy and it will be a long time before their homes, villages and communities are rebuilt.”

Earthquake vigil, Islington town hall pic Julia Gregory, free for use by partners of BBC news wire service

At a recent vigil held outside Islington town hall, MP Jeremy Corbyn criticised the government as slow to act over visas for those affected by the disaster.

The Islington North MP said delays were “not helpful” and added “more could have and should have been done”.