Refugee Biriyani & Bananas

Who we are

Refugee Biriyani & Bananas (RBB) was formed initially as a grassroots movement in response to the escalation of the Syrian refugee crisis in 2015. Cooking and distributing biriyani and bananas for all residents of the unofficial refugee camp in Dunkirk, Northern France. Since then RBB became an independently registered charity organisation in the UK in 2020 (No. 11819561), has helped approximately 84,000 people directly, has expanded its activities and services internationally, and is now in the process of an additional registration in Greece as a non-governmental organisation (NGO). 

RBB is:

• A female led project, spearheaded by a female founder and board of five Trustees.

• A community led project, with a field team and coordinators consisting of 80% people from the refugee and asylum seeking community, representing Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, Ethiopia, Palestine, Yemen, Sierra Leone and Gambia.

• Core team members, trustees, advisors with charity expertise and ambassadors from all backgrounds, including those with lived experience of displacement, members of the LGBTQ+ community & those in the global majority. 

RBB supports people with varying vulnerabilities worldwide through a holistic approach and the provision of specialised services; ensuring those receiving aid are involved in decision-making processes with our person-centred model of care. This may range from food distributions to providing medical assistance, referrals or campaigning for better global human rights.

Our culture and values

Refugee Biriyani & Bananas is a female-led, grassroots organisation built on solidarity, dignity, and fairness. We work alongside people who are displaced, recognising their skills, knowledge, and lived experiences as essential in identifying needs and shaping responses. Our work is community-led, with many of our team members coming from refugee and asylum-seeking communities themselves.

We aim to respond to gaps in support, particularly where attention and resources are limited, while maintaining transparency, accountability, and respect in our work. Collaboration with communities, volunteers, and partners is central to how we operate, ensuring that our actions are guided by those most affected.

Equality, diversity and inclusion policy

Refugee Biriyani & Bananas is committed to creating an inclusive and respectful working environment where everyone is treated fairly and with dignity. As a female and global majority-led grassroots organisation, we value diversity within our team and recognise the importance of lived experience, cultural understanding, and different perspectives in strengthening our work.

Our team includes individuals from a wide range of backgrounds, including people from displaced and asylum-seeking communities, migrant backgrounds, and those with familie ties to displacement. We aim to ensure equal opportunities across our workforce and do not tolerate discrimination based on race, nationality, gender, religion, disability, sexual orientation, age, or immigration status.