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PA
World News

Cardinal Vincent Nichols welcomes vulnerable refugee scheme extension

Home Secretary Amber Rudd announced on Monday that non-Syrians across the Middle East and Africa who have fled conflict in Syria will now be eligible for the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme (VPRS).

The Archbishop of Westminster said: "I am very pleased that Her Majesty's Government has made this important extension to the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme with immediate effect."

Catholic Church England and Wales

Ms Rudd revealed the VPRS is on track to resettle 20,000 refugees by 2020. This is in addition to 3,000 vulnerable children from across the Middle East and North Africa set to benefit from a separate scheme by 2020.

Cardinal Nichols went on to say: "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."

The home secretary's announcement means families of mixed backgrounds are now eligible. Iraqi minorities who have fled violence in both Iraq and Syria may also qualify.

Heart for Lebanon

Ms Rudd said the conflict in Syria has caused "unparalleled suffering, destruction and disregard for human life" and driven thousands of refugees and migrants towards Europe.

In a statement, she added: "Our approach is rightly based on targeting our support so that it delivers the most impact, helps those who need it the most, and avoids unintended consequences.

"This provides refugees with a more direct and safe route to the UK, rather than risking the hazardous journey to Europe which has tragically cost so many lives."

In response, the Refugee Council said: "With the number of refugees at a record high, we urge the Government to go further and commit to resettling people from around the world, at least at current numbers, for as long as it is needed."

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