We’re open for refugees, says determined council

● Virus taking toll with suicide, disease and filth on Greek islands

Councils across the north and north-east have signalled their determination to provide new homes for refugee families from around the world.

There have been fears those living in camps, including on the Greek Aegean islands, have been largely forgotten about during the pandemic.

A campaign has been launched to urge councils to offer help, with Aberdeenshire the latest to write to the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla) and do so.

Others, including Aberdeen and Highland,

“I am proud of the region’s history of resettlement”

have recently reaffirmed their commitments to help.

Many refugee camps in the Aegean islands have been placed in lockdown due to Covid-19.

Living conditions are said to have worsened, with many organisations unable to provide services, assistance or legal aid.

Founder and coordinator of Europe Must Act, Jacob Warn, said: “Without access to the camps, rubbish and dirt is piling up beyond belief.

“There have been truly tragic cases of suicide and deaths of young people on Samos, Chios and Lesvos in the past weeks: tragedies that should never, ever, have taken place.”

He says the letter by Aberdeenshire Council group leaders to Cosla will help Europe Must Act show government there is active support at council level for its campaign to help resettle more refugees.

It states: ‘The Covid-19 pandemic is not only making the humanitarian crisis ever more serious but is also taking public attention away from the suffering of the many thousands who have left home and country and who are living in camps in conditions that are almost beyond comprehension.”

The letter adds that action for refugee resettlement in Scotland requires a “wide, national, approach, where partners work together and resources can be focused to deliver real and sustainable outcomes”.

Aberdeenshire Council deputy leader Peter Argyle said it was “incredibly important” to ensure people know the region is open to welcoming people from all backgrounds.

He added said: “I am proud of the region’s history of resettling refugees, and the successful work to resettle Syrian New Scots in particular.

“It seemed appropriate to decide on a course of action on what we can do to support more refugees, as this issue arguably has been put on the back burner due to the pandemic.

“C o u n c i l s o f course need Scottish Government support and adequate funding to do this.”

A local chapter of the campaign, Aberdeen Must Act, is encouraging people elsewhere to push their councils to make the same commitments.

Supporters can find more information at facebook.com/groups/ aberdeenmustact

FORGOTTEN: Syrian refugees in Cyprus, one of the Mediterranean islands, along with Aegean islands, where they are packed into camps