SNP Councillors in Moray have stated they will be backing an offer of places in the region for refugees fleeing from Afghanistan.
A working group of council officers has been formed, including housing, social care, children’s services and others to urgently work through the actions that will be needed to enable the Council to support resettlement of refugees in Moray and a report is expected to come very quickly to Councillors from that.
Council Leader Graham Leadbitter (pictured) said:
“The scenes being witnessed in Afghanistan are deeply distressing with an enormous humanitarian crisis rapidly unfolding before us.
“SNP Councillors stand ready to support refugee places in Moray and I know there is broader backing from a number of other councillors.
“A support plan is being pulled together for the Council to make a formal decision on offering places.
“We will back an offer of places and I believe there is majority support for that.
“I hope that will become unanimous support.
“We must stand ready to offer support and work with other councils to ensure that refugees can be offered resettlement places throughout Scotland and the UK as quickly as we can practically do that.
“There is no time to waste.”
Moray Council’s Depute Leader Shona Morrison said:
“The scenes of fear and desperation of people in Afghanistan, especially women and girls, is absolutely heart-breaking.
“We need to be part of the response and support refugees, as we have in the past with Syrian refugees, Bosnian refugees and others who have fled terror and persecution.
“Moray has welcomed and supported refugees whether through public organisations like the Council and NHS or support from community volunteers, charities or just simply by being good friends and neighbours for people arriving.
“Many folk are again coming forward expressing their willingness to continue providing that support for Afghans.
“It is the right thing to do and I hope that will be the unanimous position of the Council.”
