Two refugee families from Syria are expected to arrive in Orkney in the coming months.
The islands council confirmed yesterday that preparations to house the families are at an advanced stage.
It marks the first involvement of Orkney in the national Syrian Resettlement Programme.
The families who will move to the islands are currently living in refugee camps in the Middle East after being forced to flee their own homes because of the war in Syria.
The UK Government has made a commitment to resettle 20,000 Syrian refugees from camps during the course of this Parliament.
Last year the Home Office took up an offer from Orkney Islands Council to provide homes for two families which is now set to come to come to fruitition.
Where the families will be housed has not been made public.
Orkney Islands Council is looking for new staff to help the refugees settle in.
Frances Troup, the council’s head of housing, homelessness and school care accommodation, said: “We are working with a range of organisations and our planning is now at an advanced stage.
“The aim is to help the families settle into their new way of life in a new community that will be very different to their own – and to make them feel at home.
“To assist with this a number of temporary posts are being created with funding support from the Home Office.
“We are currently advertising for a part time housing support officer who will work with the Syrian families. We will also be looking to recruit an interpreter and provide additional support in schools.”
A working group was formed last year by The Orkney Partnership, to ensure co-ordinated and effective resettlement plans are in place.
A range of support measures are being developed and will be implemented by public agencies and the voluntary sector in Orkney.
Other north councils have already begun settling refugees fleeing from the fighting in Syria.
Highland Council took in five families who have been housed in Alness, with a second group due to move in to Kinlochleven soon.
Western Isles Council have taken in two families who were housed in Stornoway.