MP calls for more support for Syrian refugees
Huw Merriman, MP for Bexhill and Battle, has called for more support to be given to the Syrian refugees following a week’s visit to Jordan. The MP visited a United Nations run refugee camp and education centres which have been set up by Save the Children to help educate Syrian children, many of whom have been unable to access a school for years due to the civil war in Syria. Mr Merriman also spent time in the UK Embassy in Jordan, meeting the head of the UK’s humanitarian aid programme which has delivered over £1bl to help Syrian refugees in the area.
A key aim of the trip for the MP was to determine for himself whether the UK aid programme is helping and delivering value for money; whether the situation requires the UK to accommodate more refugees on our own shores and whether UK military action is making a difference. On his return, the MP said he felt better informed on these key issues. “Za’atiri Camp has grown to become the world’s second largest refugee camp but it has been well planned and the residents have access to food and their own water supply. Food is purchased via vouchers meaning that aid is not wasted. Compared to the pictures we have seen from the camps in Calais, it is clean, well-organised and relatively free from squalor. When I spoke to refugees, many said that they do not want to travel to Europe, but in fact want to return home across the border to Syria when it is safe to do so. Syrians value the ethic of education and work. The decision between staying in Jordan and travelling to Europe appears to be based primarily on where they have the ability to work for a living and educate their children. The Jordanian Government, following UK intervention and support, is now providing 200,000 work permits over 3 years and education for 50,000 Syrian children. The UK is funding much of this education programme. For those locally who believe we have a moral duty to help, I feel we are doing just that. For those who think we should be spending the money at home, we will spend even more should these refugees make for our shores. It is better for everyone that we support the Syrians in Jordan and other neighbouring countries so they can rebuild their country once order in Syria is recovered”.
Mr Merriman did add a note of caution to his optimism. “The Jordanian border is now closed to refugees. There are tens of thousands of refugees who have recently fled Syria and are now stuck in a ‘no-mans’ land on the border, where the so-called ‘Islamic State’ fighters operate. This is a harsh landscape and winter is fast approaching. It is too dangerous to directly transport aid so a bigger solution is required otherwise these people will perish. I am looking forward to meeting Government ministers, and speaking up in Parliament, to ensure the Syrian refugees get our support”.