Syrian refugees are welcome in Lochaber as resettlement scheme continues

More refugees will be coming to the Highlands in the next phase of resettlement as those who settled in Kinlochleven in 2017 move onto other opportunities.

 

While unable to confirm how many families might be coming to Kinlochleven in the next resettlement phase, Highland councillors hailed the programme a success and confirmed they will take in 'around 25 further refugees to Highland in 2020/21'.

 

A Highland Council spokesperson said: 'The settling of future refugees into the Highland area will be decided on the best suited locations which have available housing, schooling and health support with shared and accessible interpretation services and good transport links, access to local services and support networks.'

 

In September of last year we reported that Aamar Yasouf, who was studying in the Laboratory of Blood Analysis while still living in Aleppo and had been living in Kinlochleven, moved to Glasgow to begin his Masters in Pharmacy at the University of Strathclyde.

 

Mr Yasouf wants to return to Syria to use his qualification to help people after the war but said if he cannot return, Scotland feels like a second home.

 

The other two families who settled in Kinlochleven have moved to undisclosed locations as personal information of council tenants is kept private.

 

Highland councillor and Kinlochleven resident, Andrew Baxter, said: 'The families were welcomed in by the village and became quite close with others. They would help out with the football and boxing clubs, and would do baking for coffee mornings.'

 

Chairwoman of Kinlochleven Community Council, Yvonne Rosie said: 'We did rally and make every attempt to ease the families into village life, sadly they have all left, as lovely and as ideal a place we have here, it just couldn't give the families what they needed.

 

'I believe if we had been closer to cities maybe they would have stayed, we were just a bit too far away.

 

'I truly believe from speaking to others,they liked it here and thought it a lovely place, but I think the language barrier for some was an issue, but the kids seemed to thrive and really enjoyed Kinloch. I don't think we would hesitate to do it again, it was a pleasure and we are glad they have found a new life and a bit of calm in what has been a tumultuous time for them.'

 

Chairwoman of the council's Health, Social Care and Well-being Committee, Linda Munro said: 'There are only positive implications from this scheme, with particularly vulnerable families being able to settle in Highland. There are further positive impacts from new residents and cultures within a community.

 

'Businesses have employed a number of refugees, and some have moved on to further and higher education, and all are learning English. Young people in schools have been outstanding ambassadors for the programme, leading the way in welcoming their new friends to their communities and helping them to integrate.'

 

The council also acknowledged there have been challenges in delivering the scheme, mainly caused by rurality and lack of local services.