Letter to the Chairman from the Minister
of State, Foreign & Commonwealth Office
A RESETTLEMENT PACKAGE
FOR VULNERABLE
BRITISH PEOPLE
IN ZIMBABWE
I am writing to inform you about a planned resettlement
package that the Government is offering to vulnerable British
people in Zimbabwe.
You will know about the economic and humanitarian
difficulties people in Zimbabwe face. Since the presidential elections
in June last year the British Embassy has seen an increase in
enquiries from the British community about the type of assistance
the British Government can offer. Our officials in Harare report
that some British people are experiencing severe difficulties
accessing food and medical care.
Although the UK Government are keen to give
the power-sharing accord every chance of succeeding we are aware
that the difficulties experienced by older and vulnerable British
people in Zimbabwe is unlikely to improve in the short term.
Due to the severe economic, social and health
care problems in Zimbabwe, the Government has decided to offer
support to eligible British people to return to the UK. This offer
is for British citizens and British nationals who have the right
of abode in the UK and will be open to people aged 70 and over
and to those below this age who are vulnerable due to health and
social care needs that mean that they are not able to look after
themselves. The spouses or partners and any dependents of eligible
applicants will be able to accompany them and will be considered
on a case by case basis.
The Prime Minister has asked John Healey, Minister
for Local Government in the Department for Communities and Local
Government, to lead this cross-government initiative. I am working
closely with him and other colleagues in the Department for Work
and Pensions, Department of Health and Home Office.
According to our estimate there are around 3,000
people in Zimbabwe who may be eligible for the programme. Our
Embassy in Harare advises that approximately 750 people may decide
to take up this offer to relocate to the UK, over an 18 month
period. The cost of this programme will be met by the Government.
Our Embassy has started to contact people who
have expressed an interest in moving to the UK to let them know
what assistance is available if they are eligible and decide to
resettle in the UK. Alongside this we are continuing to provide
humanitarian aid to Zimbabwe. Our Embassy will continue to provide
a full range of consular support to those British people who remain
in Zimbabwe. Our Travel Advice is also kept under constant review.
The Department for Communities and Local Government
are putting in place reception arrangements and provision for
appropriate accommodation and support.
I will keep you informed of any significant
progress.
Rt Hon Lord Malloch-Brown
18 February 2009
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