UK intensifies efforts to curb undocumented migration
Today, the prime minister unveiled further initiatives to advance the government’s promises made in the manifesto to combat criminal organisations, guard UK borders, and assist the weak.
The Prime Minister announced plans to collaborate with the Global South and European partners to address drivers of small boat arrivals while addressing the growing irregular migration crisis. He was speaking from the European Political Community summit, the largest gathering of European leaders held in the UK in decades.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office will implement a financial package worth up to £84 million over the course of the following three years in order to address the issues that lead individuals to board small boats.
Conflict, climate change, and humanitarian crises force millions of people to migrate each year, straining host communities and leaving vulnerable people vulnerable to abuse.
The financing will support efforts that will help create resilience to global shocks like conflict and climate change, which are two of the main drivers of irregular migration, as well as projects that will increase education and employment opportunities throughout Africa and the Middle East.
As part of a government reset with European relations, over 45 European leaders attended the meeting to debate some of the most important generational issues confronting Europe, ranging from the conflict in Ukraine to illegal immigration and security cooperation. Additionally, it was the first time that migration had been brought up in an EPC working group, highlighting the necessity of more cooperation to address this common issue.
In an effort to combat major organised crime and dismantle the gangs who are making money off of the unrest throughout the world, the prime minister also unveiled new initiatives with Slovenia and Slovakia. The agreements with Slovenia and Slovakia will facilitate enhanced collaboration among law enforcement agencies and fortify security measures in the United Kingdom against transnational terrorism, severe and organised criminal activity, and human trafficking.
David Lammy, the foreign secretary, stated:
“If we are to tackle the rising crisis of migration, we must address why people flee their homes and risk dangerous journeys to the UK and other European countries.”
“Our package of up to £84 million will improve education, boost employment and build resilience to conflict and climate change across the Middle East and North Africa – to help bring down migration figures whilst improving lives for the world’s most vulnerable people.”
“The summit has brought together our key European counterparts as part of a reset in relations, not only to tackle illegal immigration, but other shared challenges including greater security cooperation and continued support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression.”
Enhancing the long-term prospects of individuals in their home region through assistance in obtaining education and career opportunities will be a primary emphasis of the UK’s efforts upstream.
To discourage migrants from continuing their journey, new initiatives will be launched to assist Syrian refugees in Jordan and Lebanon in gaining access to education, developing their skills, and locating job opportunities.
These programmes will support the United Kingdom’s commitments made at the UNHCR Global Refugee Forum in December of last year to guarantee that refugee children have access to school, which enhances livelihoods, lowers marginalisation, and lowers the likelihood of abuse.
Funding for the Better Regional Migration Management (BRMM) programme, among other initiatives, will assist migrants in filling skills shortages in the region while guaranteeing the protection of their rights in North and East Africa. Possibilities for individuals to make constructive contributions to their local economy can aid in their better integration into society and discourage them from making risky trips elsewhere in quest of chances.
Included in today’s cargo will be humanitarian aid for communities affected by conflict. This includes financing for over 210,000 people in Sudan, where the fighting has resulted in the displacement of over 8.7 million people, to receive food, water, housing, and medical care. There will also be support for Sudanese refugees in Eastern Chad, which is currently the country with the highest number of Sudanese refugees. This aid is not only much needed, but it will also enable people to remain in their native regions and return there when circumstances permit.
In order to assist governments who take in large numbers of refugees and to strengthen the resilience of countries that are susceptible to the effects of climate change and natural catastrophes, the UK will also raise its financing to a number of international organisations.
Additionally, the UK will provide up to £2 million to support the voluntary humanitarian returns as well as the IOM’s operations in Libya. The programme assists disadvantaged migrants in Libya in returning home and honourably reintegrating into their communities. Through the Rome Process, Italy has advocated the initiative and the EU has also provided support.