Inverness will welcome six Syrian refugee families who will be re-homed in the city in the coming months.
A group of officers and volunteers from Highland Council, police, NHS Highland, and Highland Third Sector Interface are working together to put preparations in place for housing, education and health support for the families.
The group is in the final phase of its preparations to welcome the families.
Highland Council Leader Margaret Davidson said: “Highland has already welcomed 17 families to our region. Six families arrived in Alness during 2016, a further four were resettled in Lochaber in 2017 and most recently seven Syrian families moved to Dingwall in 2018.
“We are continuing our commitment to help resettle more refugees from Syria and are working closely with our key partners to ensure that we are in the best position possible to ensure a smooth transition for families when they arrive. We are doing everything that we can to be ready to support them adjust to their new lives in the Highlands.”
Community group representatives and interested members of the public are invited to a community engagement event at Charleston Academy to hear about how the Highlands are preparing to welcome more refugees and how people can help.
Members of the community will also have the opportunity to ask questions about the refugee resettlement programme.
The meeting will take place at 7pm on Thursday September 19 in Charleston Academy.
Provost of Inverness, Helen Carmichael, said: “We have identified Inverness as currently the best-suited location to welcome the fourth group of Syrian refugees to Highland.
“It has been identified for the available housing, schooling, health support and access to interpretation services. The refugees coming have been through a tremendous ordeal and I am sure many individuals, voluntary groups, local businesses and organisations will want to help them settle in and will rally together to provide the support and hospitality for which we are known across the world.”
The council is working in partnership with Cairn Housing Association to provide suitable accommodation.
The Home Office and Department for International Development are covering the cost of resettling refugees across the UK.
