The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Four Syrian refugee families start new lives in Lochaber
Refugees who fled the horror of war-torn Syria have arrived at their new homes in Lochaber.
Four families are settling into their accommodation in Kinlochleven – a far cry from the devastation in their homeland where hundreds of thousands have been killed and cities, towns and villages reduced to rubble.
Now their children are playing safely outside in the spring sunshine and one has already enrolled at school in the village.
The refugees are the second group to be allocated homes in the Highlands – the first arrived in Alness last year.
Local councillor Andrew Baxter said: “The Syrians are beginning the settlingin process in the village. They have been shown aroundandare getting a lot of support.
“These people have been through traumatic situations and will need time to adjust and get used to their new surroundings.
“A few have been down at the village shop, which is a good sign, and one of the children has started at school.”
Alocal resident added: “I think everything has gone well so far.
“The families seem to have settled in quickly and the houses seem to be wellequipped with everything they need.
“It is a newstart for them all and the kids have been out playing, whichis nice to see.”
Organisations and individuals
“I think everything has gone well so far”
in Lochaber pulled together to make sure everything was in place for the families’ arrival.
The Rotary Club agreed to provide £250 per family and to ring-fence another £250 each for further support to Re-Act Lochaber – part of the charity, Refugee Action Scotland. President Paula Ross said: “These families are fleeing from years of bombing, hunger, killing and war.
“Their children are traumatised and frightened. We readily welcome them to Kinlochleven and we hadnohesitation in awarding this funding.”
Vo l u n t a r y Ac t i o n Lochaber also recruited people keen to help and support the refugees as they start their new lives.
Highland Council has agreed to take up to 25-30 families in its area, over the period of the national resettlement programme, subject to the confirmation of available housing.
TheHomeOfficeandDepartment for International Development are covering the cost of resettling refugees across the UK.