South Gloucestershire Council Press Release
South Gloucestershire Council, Civic Centre, High Street, Kingswood, BS15 9TR, Tel: 01454863200, E-Mail: [email protected], Web: www.southglos.gov.uk
Issue Date: 17/09/2015
South Gloucestershire Council stands ready to help in the refugee crisis
South Gloucestershire Council has confirmed that it will play its part in responding to the refugee crisis, by taking in vulnerable people identified by the Government and helping to provide the humanitarian support they need.
The council is currently assessing its capacity to house and support the refugees that will come and will continue to work with the Government to ensure we are able to provide the services they will need as they give us more details in what is a fast developing situation.
We are also committed to working with local community and voluntary groups to develop and deliver a joined-up response.
Councillor Matthew Riddle, Leader of South Gloucestershire Council said: “We have all seen and been disturbed by the images of suffering caused by the terrible conflict in Syria and wanted to know how we can help to ease that suffering and the community response from residents has been so heart-warming.
“We are recording the details of individuals and organisations contacting us with offers of help through our Contact Centre and One Stop Shops.
“The council response will be to help accommodate and support our share of the refugees that the Government has said they will be bringing to safety in the UK from camps in the Middle East.
“While we await the details about who will come to South Gloucestershire and the support needs that they will have from the Government, we are ready to mobilise as soon as we are called upon.”
Residents who wish to make offers of help should call the South Gloucestershire Contact Centre on 01454 868009.