Nick Clegg has announced that the UK will give refuge to some of the most vulnerable citizens. No figure has been put on how many as they are focusing on need, not quotas, but it will mean that many woman and girls who face the risk of sexual violence, for example, will be able to come to this country. The Government will work with the UN High Council for Refugees to determine who is in most urgent need and they will be brought here over the next few months. They will include those most traumatised by the crisis.
The UK Government has already done much to provide food, medical supplies and shelter in the region where 11.5 million Syrians are in desperate need of help.
Nick Clegg said:
I am pleased to be able to announce today that the UK will be providing refuge to some of the most vulnerable Syrian refugees.
The Coalition Government wants to play our part in helping to alleviate the immense suffering in Syria.
The £600m we have provided makes us the second largest bilateral donor of humanitarian aid in the world. But as the conflict continues to force millions of Syrians from their homes, we need to make sure we are doing everything we can.
We are one of the most open hearted countries in the world and I believe we have a moral responsibility to help. The UN High Commission for Refugees – which backs our new resettlement programme – has said the highest priority should go to women and girls who have experienced or are at risk of sexual violence; the elderly; survivors of torture and individuals with disabilities, so that’s who we’ll target.
Sadly we cannot provide safety for everyone who needs it, but we can reach out to some of those who need it most. On top of that, we’ll continue to support the peace talks currently taking place in Geneva, because only a political resolution between the Assad regime and Syrian opposition will provide a permanent end to the suffering.
Britain has a long and proud tradition of providing refuge at times of crisis. This Coalition Government will ensure it lives on.
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8 Comments
A welcome announcement. Let’s be clear – the Tories would not have taken any vulnerable and defenceless Syrian refugees unless persuaded by the Liberal Democrats. Well done to the Lib Dems for turning Tory hearts from stone to something slightly more flexible.
“Nick Clegg confirms that UK will give refuge to most vulnerable Syrians”
A candidate for a rejigged title?
There are 11.5 million vulnerable Syrians, i guess the author means [the] most vulnerable people…
Popular move among intellectuals but I think sub groups are still thinking Jimmy Savile and anti-immigration for preference. I’m hope the Syrian immigrants granted indefinite leave to remain in the UK will not be a threat.
This is a situation where discrimination is valid
I suggest we take offer to take in (1) Christiand and (2) Women, particularly young women who are at serious risk of persecution from religious fundementalists .
As for moslems, their are plenty of wealthy moslem states that could help here.
@Andrew Colman – I’m happy for us to treat everyone equally, in line with our principles, and take on the basis of need.
Relief that at last UK government is accepting most vulnerable Syrian Refugees. We must not forget those in the camps who need top level medical and surgical attention. The camps cannot meet these needs and the UK can.
greatly relieved this announcement has now been made. time for thinking about next steps.
what process and support will be given when they arrive here. not treated like asylum seekers I hope, and pushed around by former UKBA and the likes of G4S. many seeking sanctuary here are not given the support and understanding they need because of their vulnerability and the trauma they have been through, in the culture of disbelief we have.
However, given that those arriving here that have fled from Syria are already deemed to be genuine, I expect something different and better.
allowing partners of Syrians already here to come to join them could be the basis of some good community support for the very vulnerable ?
Well done Nick Clegg – and to be fair Labour, Tory rebels and even Nigel Farage. When we are asked what the Lib Dems have achieved in Government, we have another string to our bow. This took weeks of negotiation against a Tory party who are like rabbits in the headlights on immigration issues at the moment and seem to lose all rational thought and humanity.