Nicholl calls on Executive to prepare for refugee children

The motion, brought forward by South Belfast Councillor Ms Nicholl at tonight’s (Thursday) Belfast City Council meeting, welcomed the UK Government’s creation of a settlement scheme to bring unaccompanied refugee children in from Europe, and called on the Executive to carry out a feasibility study to explore how to fund and build the essential regional infrastructure needed to take such children in.

Councillor Nicholl said more needed done to help support refugees here.

“The UK Government showed leadership in creating this scheme, which makes it all the more disappointing none have yet been brought to the UK under it. Anyone looking at what these people have gone through cannot help but be horrified by the suffering they have endured and the risk they have taken in trying to escape it.

“We can and should play a vital role in in caring for these children, which makes it all the more disappointing we have yet to see any refugee children taken into the UK under this scheme.

“Locally, we have a history of helping people in need. That same generosity of spirit now needs to be shown by the Executive in order to support refugee children, and help provide the safe and stable future they need.”