Brussels, Belgium, June 7, 2016 — Responding to the migration proposals published by the EU today, Melanie Ward, Associate Director of Policy & Advocacy at the International Rescue Committee said:
“In both of today’s published papers, references were made to the need for a comprehensive European resettlement scheme. But while 8 billion Euros has been pledged to make new deals, commitment on resettlement is gravely lacking.
Today’s documents rightly recognise that migration is ‘the new normal’, and is part of the global displacement crisis. Europe must step up and provide safe and legal pathways for refugees - a robust resettlement programme, with ambitious yearly commitments, combined with strong integration measures would be a start. Only then can we really talk about Europe being part of the 'global solution' to the crisis.
Unlike the US and Canada, Europe’s contribution to global resettlement is incredibly low. We had hoped that a new draft resettlement scheme would be released this week and are disappointed to see it is postponed once again. This is the moment for Europe to step up and do more – and we remain hopeful that such pledges will be made ahead of the September refugee summits.”
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The International Rescue Committee responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is at work in over 40 countries and 26 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. Learn more at www.rescue.org and follow the IRC on Twitter & Facebook.