Cardinal welcomes extension of vulnerable persons resettlement scheme

Ventimiglia refugee camp summer 2016

Source: CCN/ICN

Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster and President of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, has wecomed Home Secretary Amber Rudd's announcement that the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme will be extended with immediate effect to include non-Syrians fleeing the conflict area.

The Syrian refugee resettlement programme, under which 20,000 vulnerable people are to be brought to Britain by 2020, is to be expanded to include other nationalities caught up in the crisis.

Amber Rudd, says the decision will mean that other groups such as Iraqi, Palestinian and Kurdish minorities who sought refuge in Syria before the conflict but have had to flee again can now be helped. It will also mean that mixed nationality family groups will also become eligible.

Cardinal Nichols said in a statement on Monday:

"I am very pleased that Her Majesty’s Government has made this important extension to the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme with immediate effect.

"The devastating conflict in and around Syria has affected people of many different nationalities. That is why the Catholic community has been calling for our resettlement programme to be made accessible to the most vulnerable refugees whatever their background.

"Resettlement opportunities for those who have particular needs that cannot be met in the region are a vital complement to the international community’s wider humanitarian response.

"As Catholics we will continue to play our part both through supporting the local Church’s relief efforts in the region and through the Community Sponsorship Scheme for refugees arriving in the UK."