Moray SNP News

MORAY SNP COUNCILLOR ASKS WHAT COUNCIL CAN DO TO SUPPORT REFUGEES

SNP Councillor for Elgin City North Ward of The Moray Council has written to the Council’s Leader - Independent Councillor Stewart Cree - asking for his support in ensuring that Moray Council does all it can to help the plight of refugees who are making perilous journeys through the Mediterranean to try and find a degree of safety in Europe.

Cllr Reid is also submitting an Emergency Motion in the hope it will be considered at next week’s meeting of The Moray Council.

The growing number of families fleeing war and persecution continues to make national news headlines, as thousands of people, including many children, have lost their lives desperately trying to cross the Mediterranean using overcrowded and makeshift boats and dinghies.

Cllr Reid said:

“As a mother I find it absolutely heartbreaking to see dead children washed up on Mediterranean beaches, as their families desperately seek sanctuary from their war-torn homes. I know many people in Moray feel the same and are looking for a way to provide support.

“It is hard to imagine how terrible things have to be that people are forced into making such a dangerous journey in the hope of a future for their children and I want Moray Council to see what it can do to help.

“While we have challenges to face here in Moray, what is happening to people elsewhere is at a whole different level and we should all be concerned and do all that we can to prevent these deaths and help support those who find themselves fleeing their homes.

“Whether that is in looking at the possibility of having some accommodation available if it can be used or providing a collection point for people wishing to donate, there are practical things we can do to help.

“This is far beyond any experiences I am likely to see in my own life and I think we all have a moral duty to act now and help to address this terrible suffering as best we can.”

Motion Submitted by Cllr Kirsty Reid and the SNP’s Group Leader, Cllr Gary Coull

Refugee Crisis

That Council expresses its grave concern at the plight of refugees trying to escape war and persecution and trying to reach the relative safety of Europe. Council believes that we all have a moral duty to do all that we can to help people in these terrible circumstances.

Council therefore instructs officers to investigate urgently:

1. The possibility of making some emergency accommodation available for refugees should it be required.

2. What support the Council could provide by acting as a central point for donations of items such as sleeping bags, nappies and other essentials that could provide practical support to these refugees and how these items could be transported either directly or via third parties.

Council further agrees to write to the Prime Minister expressing its grave concerns and pressing for urgent action from the UK Government to provide a much greater level of support including the acceptance of more refugees in support of a wider European effort.