Angus MacNeil MP is urging constituents to write a welcome message for lone child refugees arriving in the UK. Almost 2,000 unaccompanied children have arrived in the UK this year, many of whom have fled wars and persecution.
Save the Children’s campaign calls on members of the public to write a welcome message, which will be printed in books being distributed across the UK to help these children learn English. This will help children to integrate in their new communities, and to learn and thrive.
Angus MacNeil MP wrote a message on Tuesday and is now asking his constituents to join the two thousand campaigners that have already taken part.
After the traumatic experiences child refugees have been through, it’s vital these vulnerable children feel safe, and get help to build a new life. Save the Children has teamed up with Pearson, the world’s largest education company, to give child refugees arriving in the UK a welcome gift – a special pack of books, appropriate to their age and ability, to help them learn English. 7,000 books are being delivered in the weeks leading up to Christmas.
To make these children feel truly welcome, members of the public are being encouraged to write a personal ‘welcome to the UK’ message to be printed into every pack of books.
Angus MacNeil MP said:
“I’m delighted to support Save the Children’s campaign to welcome child refugees in the UK. These children have been through so much – fleeing conflict and persecution. I’m glad that the UK can help provide them with a safe home and a fresh start.”
“As winter sets in I remain concerned about the plight of child refugees in Europe who are all alone and have no family with them. I’m supporting Save the Children’s call on the UK government to offer to relocate up to 3,000 of these children to the UK.”
Anyone can join the campaign by submitting their message online:
www.savethechildren.org.uk/welcome-message
The brutal war in Syria has forced more than 10 million people – half the population – to flee their homes. While most have fled to other parts of Syria or neighbouring countries, many children and their families are travelling across Europe, in search of a safe place to call home.
The refugee crisis is the worst humanitarian crisis since the Second World War and families are also fleeing conflict and persecution in Afghanistan, Iraq and Eritrea, amongst other countries outside of Syria.
Working along these migration routes, the charity is providing food, warm clothes and psychological care to children travelling long and dangerous journeys. Many report having been beaten, tortured and sexually abused during their journey. The children that make it to the UK need specialist support because they have travelled alone, without their parents.
Save the Children is calling on the UK government to offer to give a home to up to 3,000 children who have fled to Europe without their parents.
Post your welcome message here and it will be printed into a book and given to a refugee child in the UK in time for Christmas:
www.savethechildren.org.uk/welcome-message
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
Photograph attached of Angus at the Save the Children event.
About Save the Children
Save the Children is responding to the refugee crisis in the countries of origin, en route and when they arrive. We work in the countries they are fleeing – countries like Syria, where brutal war has ripped apart the lives of millions. We work in countries on the route, like Turkey, Egypt, Greece and Serbia – ensuring the children are protected wherever possible. We also work in Italy, Sweden and Germany, to ensure that these children understand their rights and have access to care and support when they do arrive at their destination.
Support our Child refugee Crisis Appeal at: savethechildren.org.uk
About Pearson
Pearson, the world’s largest education company, has donated over 8,000 books to Save the Children to support refugee children who have arrived in the UK. The books are aimed at children for whom English isn’t their first language and will help them to access education and rebuild their lives in the UK. To ensure these vulnerable children feel truly welcome, Save the Children has called upon the British public to write personal messages which will be included in the books.
To find out more about Pearson and Save the Children’s partnership to improve education for children in emergency and conflict- affected settings visit:
Angus MacNeil, SNP, poses for a photo in support of unaccompanied child refugees Portcullis House, Westminster, London. 15.12.2015. Save the Children hold a parliamentary event to highlight the plight of unaccompanied child refugees who have recently arrived in Europe and encourage the British government to give 3,000 of these children a home. Save the Children have teamed up with education provider, Pearson, to child refugees a special pack of books â appropriate to their age and ability â to help them learn English and help them to access education and rebuild their lives here. Members of Parliament and the House of Lords from across the political spectrum attended to write messages of encouragement and welcome for unaccompanied child refugees.
https://www.pearson.com/social-impact/social-innovation/every-child-learning.html
Angus B MacNeil SNP 