Following the government’s commitment to taking 20, here 000 Syrian refugees into the country over the next 5 years, viagra sale Gloucestershire is ready to welcome the first families to the county.
Gloucestershire will see three families arriving in the county before Christmas, with the first arriving in Gloucester on the 15th December and two more families coming to Cheltenham.
The Gloucester based charity GARAS, who have been working with refugees and asylum seekers in the county since 1999, will be providing their years of experience to the respective councils.
Their profile within the field, as well as the expertise of their staff, will be an invaluable resource as the county prepares to receive its share of the asylum seekers fleeing persecution at home.
Cllr Mark Hawthorne, leader of Gloucestershire County Council, said: “We have been working closely with the district councils and Gloucestershire Association of Refugees and Asylum Seekers to see how we could respond to the government’s commitment to bring the first families out of the refugee camps before Christmas.
“As a result our county will be receiving three families in mid December. The first family will come to Gloucester, with the second and third to Cheltenham. This is the early stages of the government’s commitment and we would expect to receive more families as time passes.
“Gloucestershire is united in its support, and I have been really impressed with how positively everyone has responded. Councillors, staff, local people – we are all in this together, to help change the lives of those fleeing the horrific events in Syria.”
Adele Owen, director of GARAS, said; “Gloucestershire has a long history of helping those most in need, and we’ve been working in the county for 16 years to help refugees and asylum seekers coming to our towns and cities.
“I am pleased that the councils and other partner organisations, including faith groups, are coming together to work in unison to help welcome the people who have suffered horribly in their home countries.”
Cllr Jennie Dallimore, cabinet member for communities and neighbourhoods at Gloucester City Council, said: “Since the early summer Gloucester City Council has been working closely with local partners to plan to accept vulnerable Syrian refugee families into the city.
“I am pleased that Gloucester is in a position to do its bit to help the families affected by the ongoing situation in Syria. It has obviously been a traumatic time for them, and I am sure the people of Gloucester will welcome them into our community as they settle into their new surroundings.”
Cllr Peter Jefferies, cabinet member for housing, safety and communities at Cheltenham Borough Council, who are housing two of the families, said: “The refugees are some of the most desperate people in the world and our country must do all it can to stop their suffering.
“We said back in September that we would move heaven and earth to help all those we can, and I’m pleased we have been able to provide a safe place for these families.”