Menu
01/11/2004
Bolton offers protection for refugees from war-torn West Africa
The second group of refugees from war-torn West Africa to be offered protection in the UK through a UN resettlement programme will arrive in Bolton today, the Home Office has said.
The Liberian and Congolese refugees have been given sanctuary in the UK under the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Gateway protection programme, an international refugee resettlement programme.
A total of 81 refugees will be settled in Bolton, following the successful arrival of an earlier group in Sheffield. The arrival in Bolton of the first 34 refugees today will be followed by the rest of the group over the coming weeks and months.
Home Office Minister, Des Browne, said: "The people arriving in Bolton today are part of a small quota of refugees to whom we have we have offered sanctuary. These people have been assessed by the UNHCR as being exceptionally vulnerable, at risk and in need of permanent resettlement. They have suffered horrific abuse not only in their country of origin but often in their country of refuge and have been living in unstable, squalid conditions.
"It is a credit to the people of Bolton that they are willing to provide a safe haven to these refugees. I am sure that they will give them a warm welcome and support them as they settle in so that they can fully participate and play an active role in our society."
The refugees include families with young children who fled Liberia during the civil war of the early 1990s and have since been living in refugee camps in Sierra Leone. The group also includes families who fled the continuing fighting in Eastern Congo and had been living in refugee camps in Uganda. Many of them have endured further attacks in their country of refuge. Most of the women are survivors of rape and torture while others have witnessed the murder of family members.
The Home Office will meet the full costs of resettlement in the first year.
(gmcg/sp)
The Liberian and Congolese refugees have been given sanctuary in the UK under the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Gateway protection programme, an international refugee resettlement programme.
A total of 81 refugees will be settled in Bolton, following the successful arrival of an earlier group in Sheffield. The arrival in Bolton of the first 34 refugees today will be followed by the rest of the group over the coming weeks and months.
Home Office Minister, Des Browne, said: "The people arriving in Bolton today are part of a small quota of refugees to whom we have we have offered sanctuary. These people have been assessed by the UNHCR as being exceptionally vulnerable, at risk and in need of permanent resettlement. They have suffered horrific abuse not only in their country of origin but often in their country of refuge and have been living in unstable, squalid conditions.
"It is a credit to the people of Bolton that they are willing to provide a safe haven to these refugees. I am sure that they will give them a warm welcome and support them as they settle in so that they can fully participate and play an active role in our society."
The refugees include families with young children who fled Liberia during the civil war of the early 1990s and have since been living in refugee camps in Sierra Leone. The group also includes families who fled the continuing fighting in Eastern Congo and had been living in refugee camps in Uganda. Many of them have endured further attacks in their country of refuge. Most of the women are survivors of rape and torture while others have witnessed the murder of family members.
The Home Office will meet the full costs of resettlement in the first year.
(gmcg/sp)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
15 March 2013
Walkers Find Body Of A Baby
The body of a baby, thought to be a newborn, has been found by walkers in the Ox Hey Lane area of Lostock, Bolton, Greater Manchester on Thursday afternoon. It is understood that it is not yet known how long the baby had been there or how it died. A post-mortem examination is expected to take place on Monday.
Walkers Find Body Of A Baby
The body of a baby, thought to be a newborn, has been found by walkers in the Ox Hey Lane area of Lostock, Bolton, Greater Manchester on Thursday afternoon. It is understood that it is not yet known how long the baby had been there or how it died. A post-mortem examination is expected to take place on Monday.
24 September 2009
Man Bailed Over Manchester Murder
A 20-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder after a disturbance in Manchester city centre has been bailed pending further inquiries. Zhen Asghar, 18, of Mallowdale Crescent, Bolton, suffered stab wounds at a flat near the Printworks on Monday 21 September 2009. He died as a result of his injuries on Wednesday 23 September.
Man Bailed Over Manchester Murder
A 20-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder after a disturbance in Manchester city centre has been bailed pending further inquiries. Zhen Asghar, 18, of Mallowdale Crescent, Bolton, suffered stab wounds at a flat near the Printworks on Monday 21 September 2009. He died as a result of his injuries on Wednesday 23 September.
28 July 2004
Food airdrops set to arrive in Darfur next week
Airdrops of food are scheduled to begin next week in West Darfur, where the annual rainy season has made road transport almost impossible, the UN has confirmed. A UN observer group is currently in Sudan monitoring whether the government is meeting its commitments to disarm the Janjaweed and restore security to the region.
Food airdrops set to arrive in Darfur next week
Airdrops of food are scheduled to begin next week in West Darfur, where the annual rainy season has made road transport almost impossible, the UN has confirmed. A UN observer group is currently in Sudan monitoring whether the government is meeting its commitments to disarm the Janjaweed and restore security to the region.
28 April 2003
Afghans’ deportation angers refugee groups
Refugee groups in the UK have denounced the enforced deportation of Afghan asylum seekers, the first since the fall of the Taliban regime. The Home Office has declined to provide details of the flight on which some 30 deportees are due to be escorted back to Afghanistan later today.
Afghans’ deportation angers refugee groups
Refugee groups in the UK have denounced the enforced deportation of Afghan asylum seekers, the first since the fall of the Taliban regime. The Home Office has declined to provide details of the flight on which some 30 deportees are due to be escorted back to Afghanistan later today.
20 July 2004
Refugees urged to get involved in integration strategy
Refugees have been called on to make their voice heard on a new national refugee integration strategy published for consultation by the Home Office today.
Refugees urged to get involved in integration strategy
Refugees have been called on to make their voice heard on a new national refugee integration strategy published for consultation by the Home Office today.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
