Refugees could be welcomed under new scheme

STEPHEN BARK

Up to 30 refugees from across the globe could be coming to South Lanarkshire in the next year if plans to take part in a new scheme are approved.

The Home Office is set to introduce a Global Resettlement Programme in April to replace a number of refugee schemes in the UK, including the Syrian Refugee Resettlement Programme.

Introduced in December 2015 in reaction to the Syrian Civil War, the programme has helped 47 families - 173 people in total - escape the violence by coming to South Lanarkshire.

More than 115,000 civilians have been killed as a result of the civil war which has forced more than 12.5 million people to flee since it began in March 2011.

Up to 5000 refugees from countries in North Africa, the Middle East and anywhere else should the need arise would be resettled in the UK. South Lanarkshire Council’s executive committee are set to discuss proposals to continue re-homing refugees today (Wednesday).

A report by executive directors Danny Lowe (housing and technical resources), Tony McDaid (education) and Paul Manning (finance and corporate resources) included additional proposals to increase staff levels within the resettlement team and youth, family and community learning officers.

It said: “The current Syrian Refugee Resettlement Programme is designed to assist Syrians who have fled to countries neighbouring Syria as a result of the ongoing conflict in their home country.

“In order to qualify for the programme, individuals/families are classed as vulnerable where they are survivors of violence and torture, women and children at risk and those needing medical care.

“As part of the planning arrangements and following discussions with partners directly involved with the programme, the executive committee approved, on May 15, 2018, that up to 240 individuals would be resettled in South Lanarkshire.

“All funding for the programme comes from the Home Office, through the UK Aid budget.

“Given the positive outcomes and the ongoing humanitarian issues faced by Syrians and others, it is proposed that South Lanarkshire Council participates in the new Global Resettlement Programme from April 2020, for an initial period of three years, or until financial or immigration rules change.

“The Syrian Resettlement Support Team and two youth, family and community learning officers currently have temporary or seconded contracts.

“It is therefore proposed that the current posts become permanent within the housing and technical resources and education resources’ establishments.

“It is proposed that a further refugee support officer and an administration assistant (parttime) are appointed to assist with the future programme.”

In April 2018, an 18-year-old Syrian man arrived in South Lanarkshire with his mother.

Mohamad Najjar was very keen to be involved in his new home and got to know the area by walking everywhere and meeting neighbours, all while learning English and attending the local leisure centre. He wanted to give something back to his community and worked with the resettlement team to find volunteering opportunities, and when one arose at the British Heart Foundation in Hamilton he jumped at it. A cause close to his heart after his father died from heart attack, Mohamad was so enthusiastic and willing to help, and despite his limited English, he obtained paid work in the store as a furniture restorer. The volunteering helped him settle in his new country and make new friends before he was nominated for and won the BHF’s UK Volunteer of the Year Award 2019.