UK agrees to take up to 500 of the most traumatised Syrian refugees
Source: Guardian
The government has struck a deal with the United Nations that will allow Britain to take in hundreds of the most vulnerable Syrian refugees without having to host a UN-imposed quota.
The compromise ends weeks of resistance by the government to becoming involved in the UN refugee programme and comes before a Labour-tabled debate in the Commons on Wednesday designed to put pressure on the government to do more to take refugees from the battle-torn country.
In an agreement with the UN high commissioner for refugees (UNHCR), the government has decided to provide refuge for some of those most traumatised by the crisis, such as vulnerable women and children.
Coalition sources said no more than about 500 refugees would be permitted entry, including family members, but their precise citizenship status, determining the right of other family members to come to the UK, had yet to be agreed.
Read more: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/28/syria-refugees-uk-agrees-up-to-500