AM welcomes new Refugee and Asylum Seeker Plan for Wales

Gower Assembly Member, Rebecca Evans AM, has welcomed a new action plan aiming to tackle inequality and poverty among refugees and asylum seekers.
 
The ‘Nation of Sanctuary – Refugee and Asylum Seeker Plan’ renews the Welsh Government’s commitment of working with partners - and people seeking sanctuary themselves - to achieve equality of opportunities, including access to resources and mainstream services. It also recognises the valuable skills and experiences which refugees and asylum seekers can bring with them to enhance Welsh communities.
 
Rebecca Evans AM said: “Swansea is a City of Sanctuary and has a long history of being a place of refuge and asylum for those in need.”
 
The plan highlights a range of targeted and culturally-appropriate support, recognising the importance of designing and delivering services tailored for what are often unique needs. These needs can include mental health services which address the difficult past experiences of those seeking sanctuary; interventions to mitigate the risk of refugees and asylum seekers becoming destitute; actions to prevent vulnerable individuals from being exploited; and safeguarding, particularly for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.
 
Rebecca Evans said: “Many refugees and asylum seekers are fleeing trauma in their home countries. Wales has a proud history of welcoming refugees, and the new plan is about maintaining that welcome and supporting refugees and asylum seekers to be able to contribute fully to our community.”
 
The plan has been endorsed by the United Nation’s High Commissioner for Refugees, the UN’s Refugee Agency dedicated to protecting the rights of people seeking sanctuary.