The Great Famine and Modern Refugee Crisis: Parallels in Human Suffering

The recent tragedy in August, where at least six individuals lost their lives attempting to cross the English Channel, has evoked memories of the Irish Great Famine of the 1840s. Amidst this modern-day crisis, there are calls in both the UK and France for the creation of ‘safe and legal routes’ for asylum seekers. Current pathways to the UK are mostly limited to individuals from Ukraine, Hong Kong, and partially Afghanistan.

The Public and Commercial Services’ Union (PCS) criticized the government’s handling of the crisis, alleging they prioritize scapegoating refugees over addressing the root cause. Paul O’Connor, the union’s head of bargaining, termed the government’s stance as a “moral disgrace.”

The 1840s saw approximately 1.3 million Irish migrate via Liverpool, with a significant portion settling in the city. The reception was not always welcoming; in 1847, around 15,000 were sent back to Ireland under the Poor Law Removal Act. Back then, diseases such as typhus, dysentery, and cholera proliferated in densely populated areas where many Irish lived.

The perilous journey of the Irish on ‘coffin ships’ to North America during the Famine era draws grim parallels to the current Channel crossings. These vessels, often unfit for passenger travel, carried disease-ravaged immigrants. Many succumbed to the horrid conditions onboard, while some who survived faced death at quarantine stations.

The harrowing accounts of these journeys, including pregnant women setting sail in the direst of conditions and the pervasive threat of rape, underscore the severity of the circumstances faced. The recent Channel and Mediterranean crossings serve as a poignant reminder for many Irish of their nation’s turbulent history.