Both Cambridge City Council and college JCRs will be dedicating time and resources to enable Cambridge to support refugees fleeing from violence and persecution in the Middle East.

Councillor Lewis Herbert, Chair of Cambridge City Council, announced that the council intended to play the fullest part possible in helping to resettle Syrian refugees in Cambridge. He claimed that while the council could not yet commit to a specific number of refugees, it was necessary to consult with local organisations and community foundations “to ensure that we have the right programme in place that meets the specific needs of the refugees”.

In particular, Cllr Herbert highlighted the need to ensure proper provision of services such as access to school places, educational support, in addition to health and social care. He stressed the need for a “planned approach”, with groups arriving “in phases”, in order to ensure the gradual introduction of refugees into the Cambridge community.
He highlighted the diversion of the foreign aid budget to fund local services as being crucial to the sustainability of public services under increased usage, noting that “in the first year central government will meet the cost of the arrivals in terms of integration support, health and education costs and staffing to cover administration”.

Cllr Herbert also praised the willingss of the Cambridge community to be involved with helping refugees. He said that the council “look[s] forward to working together [with the people of Cambridge] to achieve a warm welcome for any new arrivals”.

Eddie Stadnik, the CEO of Cambridge Ethnic Community Forum, said: “Cambridge has a long history of welcoming those who have had to flee persecution and intolerance from around the world. “This has also ultimately contributed immensely to our society.”

College JCRs from St John’s and Emmanuel have also organised a collection of donations for those living in refugee camps in Calais. College members are being asked to donate whatever items they can, including clothes, blankets and toiletries to St John’s JCR during the first two weeks of Michaelmas Term.

A list of items most needed can be found on the CalAid website, in addition to a Facebook event entitled ‘Calais - St John’s and Emmanuel College Collection’.
It lists the items most in need as including men’s trainers, tents, and travelling bags.