UK will resettle 'most vulnerable' Syrian refugees

Britain is set to launch a resettlement programme for Syrian refugees.

16:32 29 January 2014

Prime Minister David Cameron has confirmed that the UK will act “with the greatest urgency” to resettle the “most vulnerable” Syrian refugees.

Cameron said that he wanted to “particularly help those who have been victims of sexual violence.” Meanwhile Deputy PM Nick Clegg added that among those who will be prioritised will include torture victims, the elderly, and disabled people.

Home Secretary Theresa May said that the programme will focus on individual cases “where evacuation from the region is the only option”. She added that the programme will “prioritise help for survivors of torture and women and children in need of medical care” as recommended by the UNHCR.

Cameron added: "We will act with the greatest urgency because, when it comes to Syria, we have acted with the greatest urgency throughout.

"We have made available £600m, which makes us the second largest humanitarian donor, we provided food for 188,000 people, clean water for almost a million and medical consultations for almost a quarter of a million.

"We will be coming forward with a scheme to help the most needy people in those refugee camps and offer them a home in our country.”