Video: Sharon Walia finds out about the challenges facing refugees in this country
One of the first refugee families who arrived in Notts last year say despite feeling much more settled, they fear for family members still living in Syria.
Zahaire Alsaude and his parents live in Nottingham having fled from the war-torn country.
Their time in the UK has presented its own challenges – particularly with learning to speak English and getting jobs.
He said: “Many people of my family, like my uncle, my auntie, my cousin, many people from my family in my Syria everyday they hear some bomb and it makes a problem for them.
“Last year I was in Central College part time, but after that when I go in holiday I go to research about a job or volunteering in some way but I didn’t find any place to work because my CV is not enough.
“All these people in mosques, churches and refugee forums and places like that, or any charity organisation, help and give us more comfort because they are very welcoming and friendly.”
For them it’s like another planet, especially with that they’ve been through
18 refugee families arrived in Nottinghamshire in December last year as part of the Government’s national resettlement scheme.
Speaking of their arrival, Rasan Zehrawi, co-founder of charity Hand in Hand for Syria, said: “For them it’s like another planet, especially with what they have been through as well. They are not coming from normal situations.
“Some of them have come from living in tents and without water or electricity for quite some time.
“I have some family still in Syria and the situation is really getting worse.”
Nearly 4000 Syrians have been given protection in the UK since the conflict began.
Around 80 live in Nottinghamshire.
Deidre Sheahan, an immigration solicitor from Paragon Law, said: “We’re seeing an increase in the number of children in the Midlands in particular.
“The situation in Syria is so bad at the moment so we do see an increasing number of children and adults from Syria.”
More families are expected to arrive in Notts soon.
