Mike Hedges AM welcomes new Refugee and Asylum Seeker plan for Wales

Mike Hedges AM welcomes new Refugee and Asylum Seeker plan for Wales

A local Assembly Member Mike Hedges AM has welcomed a new action plan aiming to tackle inequality and poverty among refugees and asylum seekers.

The ‘Nation of Sanctuary – Refugee and Asylum Seeker Plan’ is the latest step towards the government’s ambition of making Wales a nation of sanctuary for all who choose to make it their home.

It renews the Welsh Government’s commitment of working with the UK Government, local authorities, the Welsh Refugee Coalition and people seeking sanctuary themselves to achieve equality of opportunities, including access to resources and mainstream services. It also recognises the valuable skills and experiences which refugees and asylum seekers can bring with them to enhance Welsh communities.

Welsh communities have already welcomed close to 1,000 Syrian refugees as part of the UK Government’s Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme, and the Community Support scheme, along with many more asylum seekers from across the world. The plan highlights a range of targeted and culturally-appropriate support, recognising the importance of designing and delivering services tailored for often unique needs. These include:

·         Mental health services which address the difficult past experiences of those seeking sanctuary 

·         Interventions to mitigate the risk of refugees and asylum seekers becoming destitute

·         Actions to prevent vulnerable individuals from being exploited

·         Safeguarding, particularly for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.

Mike Hedges AM  said: “Many refugees and Asylum seekers are fleeing trauma in their home countries both in their home countries.  Added to that many have endured harrowing journeys to the UK”

“Wales is a welcoming nation and has a proud history of welcoming refugees, the Nation of Sanctuary plan is about ensuring this happens.”

The plan is about supporting refugees and asylum seekers to contribute fully to our community.”

The plan has been endorsed by the United Nation’s High Commissioner for Refugees, the UN’s Refugee Agency dedicated to protecting the rights of people seeking sanctuary.