November 30, 2017 — In light of the release of Immigration statistics for the third quarter of 2017, the International Rescue Committee welcomes the news that the Syrian Vulnerable Person’s Resettlement scheme, the government’s flagship response to the refugee crisis, is on track to meet its target to resettle 20,000 people by 2020, having successfully brought 9,251 people to safety since the scheme was launched in 2015.
Richard Pyle, Head of Advocacy at the International Rescue Committee Europe said "The statistics on refugee resettlement are strong overall, however the Vulnerable Children’s Resettlement Scheme, which aims to offer sanctuary to 3,000 vulnerable children and their families, is lagging behind. While we recognize that resettling refugees with very complex health and social is not easy, this vital initiative must be adequately supported.
"Earlier this month the UNHCR and IOM released a report in which Syrian refugees surveyed said they were generally settling and integrating well in the UK. This is welcome news and the government should take pride in what it has achieved so far, but with the levels of need only increasing it must ensure it does not lose momentum on resettlement."
The IRC is calling for all European Members States to agree a joint framework on refugee resettlement as part of a coordinated and planned response to the ongoing refugee crisis. Learn more about the Together for Refugees campaign here.