Refugee kids offered shelter in Renfrewshire
Refugee children are being sheltered after war scarred their homeland.
Renfrewshire Council has welcomed five siblings from one family forced to flee fighting.
They have been given a second chance at life, alongside two more escaping the North Africa.
Council chiefs outlined the mercy mission in a report to members. It stated:“Children’s services recently received two humanitarian appeals from the Home Office relating to a small number of unaccompanied children currently in Northern Africa.
“Given the level of vulnerability in these particular cases, the Home Office has granted refugee status to the children, giving them leave to remain in the UK for five years.
“Thereafter, they will be entitled to apply for indefinite leave to remain. Both cases attract funding from the Home Office.
“Nonetheless, the ages of three of the children are such that the funding package will expire before their 18th birthday and there will be a cost to the council. As it is unknown whether older siblings will be providing future care, the costs cannot be known at this stage.
“The urgency of the cases did not allow for board approval to be sought prior to any agreement.”
Westminster launched a scheme to fast-track unaccompanied youngsters seeking shelter in April.
Bosses agreed to take the two families after discussions between the council leader, chief executive and convener of the education and children’s services policy board.
Councillors were asked to approve the decision after action was taken.
As previously revealed in the Express, more than 100 Syrian refugees have settled into life in Renfrewshire are fleeing civil war.
Ale Aldelli, 26, travelled to the region with his mother Asma Althahet from Raqqa, Syria, and hopes to return one day.
They took part in a festival this summer offering thanks for the support which has changed their lives and teaching others about their culture.