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Scottish minister Humza Yousaf helps Syrian refugees on Greek island | Scottish minister Humza Yousaf helps Syrian refugees on Greek island |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Scotland's international development minister Humza Yousaf has described how he witnessed "utter chaos" as he helped Syrian refugees off a boat. | Scotland's international development minister Humza Yousaf has described how he witnessed "utter chaos" as he helped Syrian refugees off a boat. |
The politician was on the Greek island of Lesbos to see what help was being given to those coming ashore. | |
Mr Yousaf said an estimated 5,000 people had arrived on the island in the 24 hours he was there. | Mr Yousaf said an estimated 5,000 people had arrived on the island in the 24 hours he was there. |
The Scottish government is providing £300,000 in humanitarian aid for those arriving in Europe. | The Scottish government is providing £300,000 in humanitarian aid for those arriving in Europe. |
It has also pledged that Scotland will accept at least 2,000 refugees. | It has also pledged that Scotland will accept at least 2,000 refugees. |
Mr Yousaf called on governments across Europe to do more to assist. | Mr Yousaf called on governments across Europe to do more to assist. |
During his visit, he said he; | During his visit, he said he; |
Mr Yousaf said: "It is hard to describe in words how shocking and heartbreaking it is. | Mr Yousaf said: "It is hard to describe in words how shocking and heartbreaking it is. |
"You're talking of mothers, pregnant women, the elderly, children - all just desperate to find safety, security and a home. | "You're talking of mothers, pregnant women, the elderly, children - all just desperate to find safety, security and a home. |
"The first thing that hits you when you see the coast is the thousands, if not tens of thousands, of life jackets piled up on the shores. | "The first thing that hits you when you see the coast is the thousands, if not tens of thousands, of life jackets piled up on the shores. |
"The emotions of the people who disembarked ranged from delight that they'd managed to make it to safety, to shock - one woman collapsed in front of us with shock - to fear because the journey had been so treacherous. | "The emotions of the people who disembarked ranged from delight that they'd managed to make it to safety, to shock - one woman collapsed in front of us with shock - to fear because the journey had been so treacherous. |
"It's a scene that should leave every single one of us thoroughly ashamed of ourselves, that this is happening on our doorstep and we're doing next to nothing to assist." | "It's a scene that should leave every single one of us thoroughly ashamed of ourselves, that this is happening on our doorstep and we're doing next to nothing to assist." |
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