THE FIRST SYRIAN refugees to arrive in Moray will be accommodated in Forres with four families expected to arrive in January.
Members of the Community Planning Board were told on Tuesday that the four families would live in accommodation provided by Moray Council and social housing partners.
The first Syrian refugees arriving in Scotland when 100 flew to Glasgow last month, with a total of 1000 expected to arrive by Christmas.
Moray Council joined every Scottish local authority in agreeing to support the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme which is expected to last for five years.
Communities throughout Scotland have already extended a warm welcome to Syrian families escaping their war-torn country, with the Isle of Bute welcoming the first of the first of an expected 28 adults and 31 children to their community last week.
Moray Council convener Allan Wright, who is chairman of Moray’s Community Planning Board, said: “All agencies in the Community Planning Partnership are agreed that Moray must play its part.
“We were the first council area to declare our readiness to take action and I’m proud that Moray has stepped up to the plate in such a positive manner.
“The conditions endured by these people in the camps defies description – we are pleased to provide a safe, new start for them.”