ES Views Letter of the Day: UK must take its fair share of refugees

At a time when we are facing an unprecedented refugee crisis, the UK should be fulfilling its role as one of the world’s richest countries by committing to accepting more refugees.

The Government is rightly helping much poorer countries that are sheltering people forced to flee from their homes due to terrible violence. But that doesn’t mean we can neglect to house our fair share of refugees.

The evidence suggests failing to offer legal routes to safe havens leaves children at risk of falling into organised crime, while adult women are vulnerable to sexual exploitation. The Government should reinstate the Dubs scheme and continue to welcome lone child refugees to the UK.

Many unaccompanied children that flee war zones are trying to join family members that already live here. An improved system of family reunion would spare these children dangerous and traumatic journeys.
Maya Mailer, head of humanitarian policy and campaigns, Oxfam