EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Belarus may take part in the program for resettling Syrian refugees, who are now in the European Union. The opinion was voiced by Jean-Yves Bouchardy, Representative of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in the Republic of Belarus, in Gomel on 18 February, BelTA has learned.
In his words, a high-level meeting will be organized by the UNHCR in late March 2016. Representatives of many countries are expected to be present. As part of the meeting governments will be encouraged to share the burden of responsibility for and care of forced migrants, primarily those from Syria. Belarus may take part in the event. The relevant documents are supposed to be signed during the meeting. "It is possible that a new program may be developed for Belarus that will cover not only Gomel Oblast but the entire country. Belarus may be expected to welcome 50 or maybe 100 Syrian refugees," he noted.
Several refugee families from Syria now live in Gomel Oblast. They have been resettled with the financial assistance of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and in tight association with the Belarusian government. "The project can be called a success on the whole. The authorities have agreed to share the burden of responsibility for aiding Syrian refugees. These people have lived for a year here already. Today we are going to visit those families and see how effectively these people are being integrated into the Belarusian society, what progress has been secured since their arrival," noted Jean-Yves Bouchardy.