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Ali expressed deep concern over the plight of refugees worldwide, particularly in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. She highlighted that nearly 80 million people have been displaced by conflict and persecution, including 26 million classified as refugees. The pandemic has exacerbated conditions in unsanitary camps where healthcare access is limited. Ali urged the Government to resume refugee resettlement schemes, reconsider Lord Dubs' amendment on family reunion rights for child refugees, and increase funding for international organisations addressing the crisis. She also called for a global ceasefire and increased support from developed nations.
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The hon. Member for East Wiltshire (Danny Kruger) paid tribute to the opening speaker, highlighting the UK's significant contributions during the global pandemic, including £750 million committed to the fight against COVID-19 and £300 million specifically allocated to Syria. He noted that the UK had contributed more than $4 billion to support the poorest economies in the world, surpassing other leading countries such as the United States, Japan, and France. The Member emphasised the importance of family reunion for refugee children and stressed that the Government was committed to creating reciprocal arrangements with the EU to ensure this could continue. He also called on the Minister to provide an update on the restart of the resettlement programme and introduced the community sponsorship scheme as a model for integrating refugees into communities, which he believes provides more than just financial support.
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The hon. Member for Livingston (Hannah Bardell), in an intervention, disagreed with the notion that Government actions are limited to monetary support and highlighted a Scottish initiative where Syrian doctors and nurses were retrained and integrated into the healthcare system to combat the pandemic. She argued against the idea that all the Government can do is provide cash assistance, emphasising the importance of comprehensive support beyond financial aid.
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Emphasised the injustice of millions being forced from their homes by genocide, hunger, and war. Cited that 85% of refugees find shelter in low and middle-income countries where healthcare systems are already under-resourced and overstretched. Stressed the need for emergency aid such as PPE, hand sanitiser, screens, soap, disinfectant, thermometers, oxygen hoods, medical equipment including ventilators, doctors, nurses, paramedics on the ground to maintain supplies of water and food.
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Expressed gratitude for hon. Members showing great time discipline during the debate.
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Discusses the challenges of NRPF status during a crisis, highlighting that local authorities must provide financial support when people face destitution. Mentions the significant rise in refugee children entering care since 2015. Raises concerns about young refugees being advised to refuse relocation under legal advice.
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Intervenes to point out that moving children from war-torn countries with poor healthcare and social systems is not a matter of choice but necessity due to desperation. Emphasises the need for focus on the reality faced by displaced families.
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Congratulates the MP who opened the debate, emphasising that refugees are people first. Criticises the Government's response to the refugee crisis as incompetent and lacking in compassion. Discusses UNHCR estimates of nearly 80 million displaced persons globally, highlighting conflict, famine, and climate change as key drivers of displacement. Stresses the importance of international cooperation and expresses concern about the assimilation of the Department for International Development into the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Mentions that most refugees find refuge in neighbouring countries rather than wealthier nations, often living in densely packed camps where conditions exacerbate health risks like COVID-19. Criticises the Government's decision to pause the refugee resettlement scheme during the pandemic and calls for its reinstatement. Discusses the dangers of channel crossings and highlights delays in asylum applications due to the pandemic. Mentions mental health impacts on asylum seekers and difficulties faced by refugees after receiving legal status, including homelessness and lack of access to support services.
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Congratulates the MP who secured the debate, criticises policies that detain or encamp refugees in unsuitable conditions, calls for proper support and integration of young asylum seekers, urges the Government to aid countries in crisis to reduce refugee numbers.
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Pays tribute to local community efforts supporting refugees, highlights tragic case of Mercy Baguma, discusses isolation due to covid and the need for better support systems, calls for urgent review of family reunion processes, advocates lifting ban on asylum seekers working after six months.
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Shah emphasises the importance of providing support and clarity for refugees, highlighting the global displacement crisis with over 80 million people displaced by the end of 2019. She stresses that 90% of refugees are not hosted in Europe or the UK but rather in developing countries struggling to provide basic services. Shah criticises recent anti-migrant rhetoric from the Government and expresses concern about proposed measures such as deploying warships, wave machines, and relocating refugees to remote islands. She also notes the negative impact of the pandemic on refugee communities and questions the cut in aid budget for the Department for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs.
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The debate highlighted the critical situation of refugees who are among the most vulnerable groups globally. Jim Shannon emphasised that these individuals, displaced due to violence and conflict, face significant challenges such as finding income, adequate shelter, healthcare, and treatment, which have worsened during the pandemic. He cited Refugees International stating that for refugees, COVID-19 is a health, socio-economic, and protection crisis. Furthermore, he underscored how financial hardships exacerbated by lockdowns make it nearly impossible for refugees to afford basic necessities like food and medicine. Shannon also noted increased discrimination against refugees and migrants since the pandemic began, referring to an outrageous claim by certain Governments that these communities are responsible for spreading the virus. He highlighted specific cases of governments suspending reception of new refugees and asylum seekers, exemplified by Uganda's actions which harm refugee rights and safety. Additionally, he discussed issues faced by Rohingya Muslim refugees in Bangladesh and African migrants detained in Saudi Arabia under harsh conditions due to perceived health risks.
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With the clothes on their backs, they came through a storm, And those that didn’t die want a better life. And they want it here.” This quote from “The West Wing” encapsulates the experiences of refugees before and during the covid-19 pandemic. I congratulate Rushanara Ali for securing this debate and for her passionate speech on the plight of refugees and asylum seekers. The media focus on domestic issues may overshadow their struggles, but as an interconnected global village, we must continue to support them. I share concerns about the merging of DFID and FCO, restrictive immigration policies, and the language used by the Government regarding activists. Additionally, it is crucial that refugees are prioritised for vaccinations due to their vulnerability.
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I thank my hon. Friend for her perseverance in securing this debate and express gratitude to all contributors who highlighted the plight of refugees. I emphasise the importance of a distinct Select Committee focused on Government’s development work, as it ensures constructive scrutiny of key issues. Over 100 million people have been displaced in the last decade due to conflict, famine, environmental disasters, and persecution; nearly three-quarters remain in neighbouring countries. The reality is heart-breaking: refugees leave their homes only when there is no other option. Climate change is expected to displace millions by 2050, but over 90% of recent energy deals went to fossil fuel projects, including those funded by UK Export Finance and the CDC. I urge the Government to end support for these projects from both aid budget and UKEF as a matter of urgency. In addition to climate change, food insecurity affects millions; without urgent action, many could face famine. Immediate humanitarian assistance and measures ensuring refugees can live full lives are essential. During the pandemic, basic amenities in camps have become scarce. I request information on steps taken by the Government to support refugees’ access to sanitation and strategies for dealing with international barriers like Russia’s veto at the UN Security Council.
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Expressed concerns about the health and fragility of refugees from around the world.
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Emphasised the principle that 'people first' should be central to discussions on displaced populations.
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Highlighted the plight of people who have no homes to return to and are living in precarious conditions due to displacement.
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Asked about the potential use of ventilators and raised concerns about rising xenophobia.
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Discussed personal experiences with refugees and emphasised the need for humanitarian support.
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Ms Rushanara Ali expressed gratitude for the speeches made by her hon. Friends, other Members across the House, the Minister, and the shadow Secretary of State. She highlighted the need to build a positive narrative about refugees and asylum seekers, condemning the rhetoric that dehumanises them. During the pandemic, Ms Ali emphasised the challenges faced by refugees who have also endured conflict and trauma, urging for protection measures domestically and greater global ambition in addressing refugee crises. She requested that the UK Government join the Netherlands and Canada on a genocide prevention case in the International Court of Justice.