STRATFORD District Council is “ready to play its part” in helping the Syrian refugee crisis.
Hundreds of thousands of people have been fleeing the Middle East in recent weeks in a bid to escape war and persecution from the so-called Islamic State with around 18,000 alone arriving in Germany at the weekend.
Concerned residents have been in touch with the council in the past few days asking how they can help.
And on Monday (September 7), members of the authority’s Cabinet pledged to offer support to the cause.
They agreed to create a collection centre for charitable gifts and help co-ordinate others who are doing the same.
An information sheet for those keen to help will be produced while the council will also signpost those who may be able to accommodate any refugee families and empty holiday accommodation.
The authority also pledged to use its resources to support government initiatives although details of these are not yet known.
Council leader Chris Saint said: “Stratford District is ready to play its part in any nationally agreed and co-ordinated approach to refugees as well as formulating its own response.
“District residents are keen to do all they can to help support these people – collect charitable gifts, hold charity collections and even offer rooms in their homes.
“We will do our best to help co-ordinate all of this along with other partners and the West Midlands Strategic Migration Partnership so we can understand what is needed in terms of support and the provision of public services in order to deliver an effective and co-ordinated response.”
Further details will be made available in due course.
