- Scotland is ready to welcome those fleeing conflict
Social Justice Secretary has written to Home
Secretary urging the UK government
to use its resettlement scheme to help refugees from Gaza.
The Scottish Government has already pledged £500,000 in
humanitarian funding to the UN Relief and Works Agency to help
displaced people in Gaza.
Ms Somerville wrote:
“Despite the horrific conditions we are seeing in Gaza, we know
that many Palestinians will choose to stay, and they must be
supported with humanitarian aid to do so. However, there will
also be some who want to leave. The Scottish Government has
called upon the international community to commit to a refugee
resettlement programme.
“In the past, people across Scotland and the UK have opened up
their hearts and communities to welcome those from Syria,
Ukraine, Afghanistan, and many other countries. We are ready to
do so again.
“I call on the UK Government to use the already established UK
Resettlement Scheme, which works with the UN High Commission for
Refugees, to allow a route to safety for the most vulnerable such
as children and families, those with severe health needs, and
those with links to residents in Scotland.”
Background
Read the full text of the letter: Israel-Gaza conflict:
letter to UK Government about Gaza refugee scheme.
