Born in 1946 and brought up in Cupar, Fife, I was educated at the local school - It has now been a few weeks since the picture of young Alan Kurdi washed up on a Turkish beach was used across most media outlets in the UK. It provoked a nationwide response as it highlighted the plight of the thousands of refugees making perilous journeys across Europe, for the promise of a better and more fulfilled life.
The group of Scottish Ministers, the Scottish Refugee Council, the UK Government, local government and key stakeholders are now engaging with organisations across Scotland to look at capacity over a range of areas including housing, language support, social services and health services to meet the need.
Since it was set up, the majority of Scotland’s 32 councils have said they are willing to accommodate refugees affected by the crisis, and an online hub has been created to give the public the information they need on how they can donate, register available accommodation, assist with lessons in English as a second language, and befriend.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has already said that Scotland stands ready to take at least 1000 new refugees as an immediate priority.
It is very encouraging that the majority of councils want to accommodate refugees, and I hope that we can build on this response and keep the momentum going while services are put in place.
Scotland is ready to play its part and take its fair share of the most vulnerable people in need.
This case has been taken to Westminster also by my colleague – Moray’s MP Angus Robertson who was greatly encouraged by the backing of seven political parties – all of whom spoke together in a House of Commons debate to call on the UK Government to do more in helping refugees from the Middle East.
The motion being debated on the SNP Opposition Day was led by Moray MP and SNP Westminster Leader Angus Robertson, and backed by Labour, Plaid Cymru, the Liberal Democrats, SDLP, the Greens and Ulster Unionists.
Local MP Mr Robertson has been inundated with messages of support for the refugees from people across Moray including a significant number offering rooms in their own homes and others asking how they can donate money and essential items to help.
The SNP used the first Opposition Day debate in the House of Commons to challenge the response from the UK Government to the humanitarian crisis which they called woefully inadequate.
He said that while the announcement of the Prime Minister to accommodate 20,000 refugees over the next five years was welcomed, it is simply not enough – and only equates to six refugees per constituency, per year.
The overwhelming majority of the parties have responded to the plight of the refugees with a welcome message of support and goodwill. And we can all play our part in this.
Ways in which we can help include signing a petition to demand action from the UK Government; attending a vigil that may be organised near you – Glasgow and Edinburgh have held their own in recent days; and getting involved in local initiatives.
Scotland Supporting Refugees are a group of volunteers raising awareness and campaigning for action, and many cities, towns and villages have set up local groups.
Financial donations can be made to a non-governmental organisation (NGO) that is involved in related humanitarian work overseas. These include Save the Children, Red Cross Europe, Migrant Offshore Aid Station, International Rescue Committee, UNHCR, Refugee Action and World Vision.
In a world looking for a simple display of common humanity, all of us can play our part, and we can offer sanctuary.
