Britain to take 20,000 Syrian refugees over 5 years

Prime Minister David Cameron said Britain will take 20,000 Syrian refugees from camps near the war-torn country’s borders over the next five years. “In doing so, we will continue to show the world that this is a country of extraordinary compassion, always standing up for our values and helping those in need,” he added. Britain will continue to take refugees from the camps and from elsewhere in Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey, he said. “This provides refugees with a more direct and safe route to the UK, rather than risking the hazardous journey to Europe.” Britain will give priority to vulnerable refugees such as orphans, according to the prime minister. More than four million Syrians have fled the war.

Read more on Britain’s response to refugee crisis.