The briefing note below provides details on the programmes that relate to Asylum and Refugee resettlement and support in the East Midlands
Asylum Refugee Programmes Briefing Note July 2016 (003)
EMC update on refugee announcements
In his statement to the House of Commons on Monday 7 September, the Prime Minister announced that Britain should resettle up to 20,000 Syrian refugees over the rest of the Parliament. These refugees will be taken from the camps in the countries neighbouring Syria using the established UNHCR process for identifying and resettling refugees. The Prime Minister also announced that the criteria for the existing Syrian Vulnerable Persons Relocation scheme will be expanded. The details of the proposals are yet to be announced. The East Midlands Strategic Migration Partnership is working with the Home Office, LGA, local authorities and other key stakeholders to put in place the arrangements to house and support refugees as the process emerges. The cost of supporting the refugees in their first year in Britain will be funded from foreign aid spending.
The Migration pages of the East Midlands Councils website will be updated as we progress. Information is also available on the LGA website Refugees | Local Government Association
In response to public offers of accommodation, in the first instance, council private sector housing teams might want to collate the details so that once we have further information from government on who will be arriving in the UK and when, you can assess whether you can make use of their offer to provide housing. For the many other offers (such as local people wanting to make a donation or offer assistance in kind) you may want to direct people to the local and national charities which are offering support to refugees already in the UK. This will ensure that the support provided is tailored to vulnerable people's needs in the most appropriate way. Significant or substantive offers of assistance can be referred to the Home Office.
New global resettlement scheme for the most vulnerable refugees announced
The UK will continue to resettle thousands of refugees under a new scheme set to start in 2020, the Home Secretary announced. Click here for further details.
Please contact Brein Fisher brein.fisher@emcouncils.gov.uk for further information.
The British Red Cross - Support
The British Red Cross offer help with the urgent needs of refugees, asylum seekers and other vulnerable migrants. The help they can offer will depend on where you are. It can include:
- food parcels and vouchers
- small amounts of cash
- clothes
- toiletries
- blankets
- baby items.
We may be able to offer further help. Depending on your circumstances and where you live this may include:
- travel vouchers
- benefits and career advice
- health care – registering with a GP or dentist
- coming with you to appointments
- adjusting to life in the UK
- orientation – getting to know your local area
- emotional support
- reuniting family.
Click here to find your local refugee service.
Europe Refugee Crisis contact: Internationalcontact@redcross.org.uk
More information is also available on https://www.gov.uk/government/news/syria-refugees-what-you-can-do-to-help--2
Community Sponsors
Full community sponsorship is a ground-breaking new development for resettlement in the UK. It enables community groups to become directly involved in supporting the resettlement of vulnerable people fleeing conflict and in need of humanitarian protection in the UK. It encourages innovation in resettlement that has the potential to promote positive resettlement outcomes, both for the resettled familiesCommunity Sponsors will be responsible for supporting the resettled family including:
- making arrangements to meet the family at the airport in the UK;
- providing housing for at least two years;
- supporting access to medical, social services and education for one year;
- English language tuition for one year; and
- support towards employment and self-sufficiency for one year
Sponsoring Organisations may choose to provide support beyond this, according to the needs of the resettled family.
Further details about the Community Sponsor Role can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/helprefugees or should you require help and support in setting up a group, please contact Sally McDavid, For Refugees sally@forrefugees.uk .