News Digest

British PM Cameron visits Syria refugee to camps to pledge aid

British Prime Minister David Cameron visited Syrian refugee camps in Lebanon and Jordan on Monday, pledging increased aid which he said would help stem the migration crisis in Europe. The surprise visits, which included talks with Lebanon’s prime minister and the king of Jordan, came as Cameron appointed a minister to oversee the resettlement of 20,000 Syrian refugees in Britain over the next five years.

I wanted to come here to see for myself and to hear for myself stories of refugees and what they need.

David Cameron

Boosting aid to regional states hosting refugees was key to tackling the crisis that has seen tens of thousands of asylum-seekers flood into Europe, Cameron said, reiterating his argument against charges that London was not doing enough. Lebanon and Jordan have complained that their resources have been stretched to breaking point by the influx of refugees from Syria, and UN agencies have repeatedly appealed for aid from donors.

Around three percent of the 11 million Syrians forced from their homes have sought asylum in Europe. Without British aid, hundreds of thousands more could be risking their lives seeking to get to Europe, so these funds are part of our comprehensive approach to tackle migration from the region.

David Cameron