New figures released today by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) today [Thursday 25 May] have shown that only 75 refugees from Syrian were welcomed to Wales between January and March this year.
Although this brings the overall total for Wales up to 472, in the same quarter Scotland welcomed 366 Syrians through the Home Office resettlement scheme, and Northern Ireland 81.
Victoria Goodban, Oxfam Cymru’s Programme Manager said,
“The civil war in Syria is still ongoing, and it is crucial that we here in Wales make every effort to take in our fair share of refugees. Scotland has shown that it is possible – their clear political commitment to welcoming refugees from Syria is making a real difference.
“Although every Local Authority has made effort to welcome refugees, we need to ensure there is appropriate Welsh Government leadership to support councils in continuing to welcome those in great need, and that the good work done to enable those fleeing war and persecution in Syria to settle here is not wasted.”
ENDS