Country: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland To: Mark Lyall Grant

From: Lindsey Wright

Subject: Possible Solutions Regarding the Syrian Refugee Crisis

Abstract:

The Syrian Civil War has left millions of Syrian men, women, and children fleeing for their lives

many seeking asylum in neighbouring Middle Eastern countries, the European Union, and around

the world, making it one of the most pressing humanitarian issues of the decade. From 2011 to

2015, more than 470,000 lives have been claimed by the Syrian Civil War and today more than

13.5 million Syrians are in need of humanitarian assistance in Syria with 4 out of 5 Syrians now

living in poverty. It is the responsibility of the UK and the international community to continue

providing necessary humanitarian assistance to Syria, affected neighbouring countries, and refugee

host countries in order to increase political, social, and economic stability in the region.

Analysis:

The United Kingdom has taken many significant measures in financial humanitarian assistance,

resettlement schemes and military initiatives in order to assist refugees in Syria and the region.

Initially focusing on purely humanitarian aid, in early 2014, the Home Secretary announced the

UK government would establish a new resettlement scheme called the Syrian Vulnerable Person

Resettlement Programme (VPR) which initially focused on providing resettlement options in the

UK for the elderly, victims of torture and rape, and the disabled. This was in addition to Gateway

and Mandate schemes under normal asylum regulations.

In September 2015, former Prime Minister, David Cameron, announced a significant extension to

the Syrian VPR scheme, stating the UK government’s new commitment in accepting 20,000 Syrian

refugees by 2020 offering acceptance to the most vulnerable Syrian refugees in Jordan, Lebanon,

Iraq, Egypt and Turkey. Along with providing logistical and financial support to European Union

partners in solving the irregular immigration crisis, the UK government would partner and

collaborate with UNHCR and NGO’s such as Save the Children in order to effectively and

efficiently deliver the scheme. As of June 2016, about 2,659 refugees have already been resettled

through the programme in the UK.

Furthermore, refugees would be granted a five-year Humanitarian Protection status allowing

refugees to easily access public funds, and the labour market, and have the ability to apply for

permanent settlement in the UK after the course of 5 years. The UK central government has

pledged to fully fund the first 12 months of the refugee resettlement costs and committed £126

million to help local authority costs for the remainder of the 4 years.

In April 2016, in response to the increase in irregular immigration and recommendations of the

UNHCR, the UK government pledged to resettle another 3,000 vulnerable children from conflict-

prone regions in the Middle East and North Africa in addition to the Syrian VPR programme during

this Parliament. The Vulnerable Children's Resettlement Programme (VCRS) would provide safe,

legal routes to the UK for vulnerable, unaccompanied children which are most at risk of human

trafficking and exploitation.

The United Kingdom has taken a strong position on fundraising efforts in order to provide the

necessary humanitarian assistance for Syria and the region. As one of the co-hosts of the

Supporting Syria and the Region Conference London 2016, the United Kingdom government

pledged an extra £1.2 billion, a total of £2.3 billion, making it the 2nd largest bilateral donor to

Syria and host countries. Funding will be allocated to more than 30 partners, including United

Nations agencies and international non-governmental organisations to give support inside Syria

and the region. We have also addressed £46 million from the UK Conflict, Stability, and Security

Fund at a means to support the Department for International Development’s local actions to

construct and maintain political stability and resilience in Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, Iraq

and Egypt.

The UK has additionally taking military initiatives at a means of bringing political stability back

into Syria and the region. As a part of the High Negotiations of Committee in Syrian Opposition,

UK and its partners are working towards a political transition and establishment of a new,

democratically-elected government in Syria, under the Geneva Communiqué, in order to terminate

Asad’s regime, and dismantle Daesh and other terrorist groups, benefiting Syrian victims of

terrorist violence by re-establishing peace and security in the region. As a partner in the military

campaign, Global Coalition, the UK additionally offers funding and military support to

governments and moderate groups with respect to driving back and disassembling Daesh.

Recommendations:

• Encourage EU member states to collaborate with local NGO’s, charities, UN agencies,

and UNHCR at a means of maintaining long-term social and economic assistance to

refugees in the region providing host countries with better access to basic necessities,

public services, economic opportunities, and education.

• Improve methods of categorizing between refugees and economic migrants to provide

much needed support and protection to most vulnerable refugees and mitigate the need for

dangerous journeys to the EU putting many at risk of exploitation and human trafficking

especially women and children.

• Urge the international community to continue contributing to the Syria

Humanitarian Response Program at a means of supporting refugees in Syria

strengthening early recovery and livelihood, education, emergency telecommunications,

food security and agriculture, health, nutrition, shelter, water, sanitation & hygiene.

• Continue collaborating with international partners in the Global Coalition providing

funding, military training, and border control for groups fighting against Daesh to ensure

regional and international security.

• Strengthen relations with the High Negotiations Committee of the Syrian Opposition

(HNC) partnering with and representing moderate military and political groups opposing

the Asad regime in order to establish a political transition, terminate Asad’s regime, and

combat against Daesh and other extremist groups.