Cornwall continues to work in partnership with
- the Home Office
- and local partners
through our commitment to the UK Global Resettlement Scheme.
The plan from the UK government for 2020/21, was for 5000 global refugees to come to the UK. This extends its commitment from the previous Vulnerable Persons Scheme. Refugees were to be resettled from wider geographical areas to meet growing need.
Covid-19 affected the resettlement scheme. However, following UK guidelines flights have resumed.
The refugee crisis around the world has more than doubled since 2016. Globally there has been a 60% reduction in pledges of help for resettlement since 2016.
The needs of people unable to remain in their country due to;
- war
- conflict
- famine
- and changes in climate
are being unmet. Arriving refugees to the UK will receive the same levels of service from the previous scheme.
With 5 years Leave to Remain status. Funding remains the same, as does all security checks.
UNHCR wish to provide information on literacy levels within Countries. This is to:
- assist Local Authorities to understand the level of need
- be realistic about how communities could provide effective communication and meet needs
We have a limited number of ethnic groups and native speakers in Cornwall. So, this knowledge of literacy and level of education will help in providing the plan for resettlement support.
An example, provided by UNHCR is that Kenyans in the majority, speak English. And the Sudanese use a mix of Arabic and English language. With a literacy rate of 76% of the population. Rural communities can then help resettle people from other countries in the World.
Learning from the original scheme has been important in developing the global scheme. Including, the successes of community sponsorship and managing expectations of new arrivals.
Local initiatives
Cornwall Council has been able to work in partnership with five local Community Sponsorship groups. And one joint partnership model.
We wish to continue this joint working with local communities. Building local connections for the resettlement of families.
More information on the Home Office Community Sponsorship scheme is available below. Or, to discuss a possible group, please contact ResettlementService@cornwall.gov.uk
- Reset UK
- HM Government
- Charis Refugees
- Cornwall Refugee Resource Network
- Launceston Refugee Support Group
- Falmouth and Penryn Welcome Refugee Families
- Bude Refugees Support Group
- Penwith Welcomes Refugees
Cornwall Council, through the government funding, provides Caseworker support for resettled refugee families. And will work with community groups and partners to create new ways of working.
Joint working with schools continues, and we develop our learning across the county.
Areas of highest need
There are 2.6 million Afghanistan refugees living in Iran due to conflict and human rights violations.
Afghanistan people are mainly rural people with;
- 75% living in the countryside.
- 63% of the known Afghan refugees are under 25 years old
Somalia is witnessing a targeting of returning refugees to the Country. With atrocities of sexual/gender violence and clan violence.
Kenya continues to support refugees in large camps from Somalia. However, over 50,000 refugees are awaiting forms of documentation to be in the country.
Sudan has 1,128,696 known refugees and asylum seekers.
Libya has 42,821 known refugees and asylum seekers. The war in Syria continues, with thousands of people displaced into neighbouring countries and needing a place of safety.