Theresa May announces £30million aid package for refugees – those heading to Europe to be urged to head to Asia and Latin America instead
Refugees heading to the continent will be encouraged to settle in other countries rather than attempting dangerous crossings into Europe
THERESA May has announced a package of more than £30m in UK aid to protect refugees from trafficking, violence and exploitation.
The Prime Minister revealed the news on her trip to the EU council summit in Malta - which is focusing on efforts to tackle the migration crisis.
The new measures will include assistance to refugees and migrants across Greece, the Balkans, Libya, Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria and Sudan.
It will mean that refugees heading to the continent will be encouraged to settle in other countries instead of attempting dangerous crossings into Europe.
The UK has also set up a special protection fund to help take care of vulnerable women and girls who are risk of trafficking.
The sum will bring the total UK aid given to the migrant crisis to more than £100 million since October 2015.
The money will also be used to offer assistance to countries in Asia and Latin America - in return for those states taking on refugees.
It will be delivered overseas by partners such as the UN's refugee agency, the International Organisation for Migration, and the Start NGO network.
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But the Prime Minister has insisted that the focus of the new funding is for "helping migrants return home rather than risk their lives continuing perilous journeys to Europe".
Just a few thousand Syrians have been resettled in Britain since the start of the civil war - and the Government have ruled out being part of an EU-wide scheme to help resettle migrants.
International Development Secretary Priti Patel said today:
"Global Britain is stepping up its support for the most vulnerable refugees who are at risk and need our help. Conflict, drought and political upheaval have fuelled protracted crises and driven mass migration. We cannot ignore these challenges.
"This latest support from the UK will help those who decide they want to return home to do so safely, protect men, women and children from exploitation, and ensure that those caught in freezing conditions get the basic help they need to survive."
