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Dumfries & Galloway prepares to welcome Syrian refugees

A child stares at the camera at Kawergosk refugee camp. Photo: PA

A meeting of community organisations has established the Dumfries and Galloway Refugee Project Team.

This will involve a broad range of organisations and agencies, all of which will contribute to the resettlement of refugee families.

Dumfries & Galloway Council Leader Ronnie Nicholson has said he expects Dumfries & Galloway to receive up to 20 families:

We want Dumfries and Galloway to play its part in hosting refugee families coming to Scotland. Our discussions with the Home Office and through the National Syrian Resettlement Group have identified that we're likely to receive around 20 families over the five year programme.

– Council Leader Ronnie Nicholson
A child stares at the camera at a refugee camp located outside of Erbil Credit: PA

The groups will be involved in support across a wide range of services, including housing, health, community and language.

Dumfries & Galloway council says that financial support from the Home Office would cover the direct costs of hosting the families here.

In conclusion, Council leader Ronnie Nicholson said:

We have an opportunity to provide safe new lives for people who have suffered unimaginable trauma in Syria, including torture, violence and persecution. They had ordinary lives before the war in their country and we want to help them get back to normal lives. By hosting Syrians here we will enhance the diversity of our region and find willing contributors to our job markets and community life.

– Dumfries & Galloway Council Leader Ronnie Nicholson
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Border region to house Syrian refugees

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