Several projects helping ethnic minorities are under threat by a British government plan to withdraw funding.
The Northern Ireland Council for Ethnic Minorities (NICEM) launched a bruising attack on Northern Ireland Office minister Mr John Spellar over his plans to withdraw cash for black and ethnic minority groups.
NICEM chairman Mr Alfred Abolarin said the decision was "a big blow to the sector" at a time when there were concerns about racial violence.
"Many of these services are accessed by people who have little or no English," he explained.
"That is where the projects come in. They help ethnic minorities to fill in and understand government forms, to access vital services like health and get job training," he said.
Mr Abolarin said a funding cut would send out "all the wrong message" to ethnic minorites at a time when racial threats and violent attacks are on the increase.
The recent spate racism was discussed today by the Northern Ireland Policing Board at its monthly meeting today.
Afterwards board chairman, Professor Desmond Rea said his members along with the PSNI were "at an advanced stage in agreeing targets for the police service to meet in relation to racist and homophobic violence."
Core funding for black and ethnic minority groups was established three years ago during devolution.
A race unit was also set up in the Office of First and Deputy First Minister. Research conducted by the unit had praised core funding and recommended more funds being allocated.
Nationalist SDLP Assembly member Patricia Lewsley condemned the funding-cut: "This threatens the very future of these groups and will make it almost impossible for them to carry out their work."
PA