Two families from Syria – the first refugees from the war-torn country to be accommodated in Staffordshire – have arrived in the county.
A total of 10 people, a family of four and a family of six, have arrived in Stafford Borough and are now settling in to their new homes.
The arrivals come after months of work by Staffordshire County Council, district and borough councils and charity Refugee Action to ensure the county has everything in place for the arrival of refugees. This includes providing a safe and secure environment with access to adequate medical provision, suitable housing, and school places, if needed.
The people coming to the UK from Syria are fleeing a violent civil war that has meant the country’s infrastructure, healthcare, education and economy has been virtually destroyed.
[box type=”shadow” ]County Councillor Mike Lawrence, Cabinet Member for Children and Community Safety, said: “This programme is about helping those refugees in the greatest need, including people requiring urgent medical treatment, survivors of torture and women and children who are most at risk. As a county, we are doing all that we can to help. We have been able to welcome these refugees thanks to the huge support of our district and borough councils, and Refugee Action, who will be overseeing the arrivals and ensuring they can settle in to their new environments.
“There has been a great deal of logistical details to sort out prior to the refugees’ arrival, and we are only taking those we know we can safely and readily accommodate. As county we have pledged to take 50 refugees initially, so there is more work to be done in the coming months to ensure everything is set for future arrivals.”[/box]
Julie Kashirahamwe, National Resettlement Manager at Refugee Action, added: “Refugee Action is delighted to welcome the Syrian families and individuals who arrived safely in Staffordshire on Tuesday. These refugees who have been through so much already; surviving the horrific realities of conflict and violence and now our dedicated staff and volunteers will begin the process of helping these new arrivals rebuild their lives and enabling to integrate with local communities in the area.”
The Syrian VPS prioritises those who are most at risk and cannot be supported in their own country. The Home Office checks their eligibility to meet the criteria of the scheme, conducts thorough security checks and works with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) to ensure that a full medical assessment is conducted prior to arrival in the UK.
Over the coming weeks the county council says it will continue to work with the Home Office Refugee Resettlement Team, borough and district councils, housing providers, police, fire, public health and Refugee Action to prepare for further arrivals.
