Rachel has issued the following response to constituents who have contacted her about World Children's Day.
I am very much aware of the ongoing conflict taking place in Syria and the surrounding region, which is totally devastating, however I am pleased to confirm that it is where the Government is currently working to ensure there is no lost generation of children. In 2015/16 alone, DFID reached over 470,000 children with formal education, and over 110,000 children with non-formal education, in Syria and the region.
I believe that at the 'Supporting Syria' conference in February 2016, a goal was set to get every refugee and vulnerable child in the host countries bordering Syria into quality education by the end of the 2016/17 school year. Ministers have urged others to join the UK and other key partners to step up their support for education in crises.
I am also pleased to confirm that the Government has committed to resettling up to 20,000 Syrians under the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme (VPRS) and up to 3,000 children and family members under the Vulnerable Children's Resettlement Scheme by 2020. Over 8,000 people have been granted humanitarian protection under the Syrian VPRS since it began in 2014. Around half of those resettled under the Syrian VPRS in the year ending June 2017, were under 18 years old.
The Government also continues to assist vulnerable migrant children within Europe. This includes the £10m Refugee Children's Fund for Europe, which was created to support the needs of vulnerable refugee and migrant children specifically in Europe and the Balkans. It includes targeted support to meet the specific needs of unaccompanied and separated children.
Therefore it is clear that the Government recognises those fleeing persecution have a legal entitlement to protection, and continues to work to provide support to refugee children.
Date published: 08 January 2018.
As with all items in the FAQ Library, answers are subject to modification as events and circumstances change and evolve. If you would like an answer that is more specific to your circumstances, or to seek and up-to-date response, please email rachel.maclean.mp@parliament.uk.
