A long-awaited update!
Updated: Feb 15, 2021
In March 2020, as the Coronavirus pandemic struck Europe, the United Nations High
Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) paused transfers of refugees from Syria until they could
once again be moved safely. This was disappointing since we had found a suitable home in
North Tyneside and were at the point of being able to accept our first family from Syria.
During lockdown Tyneside Welcomes had to suspend fund-raising and face to face meetings.
But we have used the time to finalise some important details. This means we will be able to
offer a family the welcome we would want to once the UK government allows refugee
transfers to take place again. Some European countries have resumed refugee transfers, so
we are working with local MPs and our mayors to persuade the government and the Home
Office to agree to this. When transfers are resumed, we think a family could be allocated to
us quite quickly since the pandemic is now spreading through the refugee camps in Syria —
which must be terrifying for refugees living there.