Minister launches refugee strategy with a call for continued compassion

Social Justice Minister, Dr Brian Gibbons highlighted Wales’ proud record of providing protection to people from other nations who are forced to seek refuge in Wales but said that more needs to be done as he launched the Assembly Government’s Refugee Inclusion Strategy today.

The Strategy sets out how the Assembly Government will support and enable refugees to rebuild their lives in Wales and make a full contribution to society. It also documents the progress made to date in achieving refugee inclusion in Wales.

Dr Gibbons said: "The Welsh Assembly Government has introduced programmes across key services such as housing, health and education and has also funded a range of voluntary sector initiatives aimed at promoting refugee inclusion. For example, we have published a Refugee Housing Action Plan, issued guidance to health practitioners and established a refugee health professional database. We have also provided funding to Local Education Authorities to support refugee inclusion in schools.

However, we recognise that a number of barriers remain. This strategy sets out how we plan to take a three-prong approach through tackling barriers by allowing asylum seekers to achieve their full potential, facilitating better access to services and to support diverse and more cohesive communities. Our plans to address barriers to fulfilling potential, such as a lack of Welsh or English language skills and under employment, include a review of the funding policy for English for Speakers of Other Languages and establishing a sub-group of the All Wales Refugee Policy Forum to develop a Refugee Employment and Skills Action Plan for Wales."

The strategy can be found at:
http://new.wales.gov.uk/topics/housingandcommunity/communitycohesion/publications/refugeeinclusion/?lang=en