Save the Children Applauds the Government for Having a Change of Heart.

Save the Children has welcomed Prime Minister John Key’s change of heart after his announcement that the government will take in 750 more Syrian refugees over the next two and a half years.

As Europe grapples with the massive intake of refugees fleeing civil war in Syria, last week’s scenes of a three year old boy washed up on the beach shocked the world.

Save the Children New Zealand Chief Executive Heather Hayden has applauded John Key’s announcement that New Zealand will take 600 Syrian refugees under an emergency intake. An extra 150 places will be offered within the quota.

“It’s fabulous that the government has listened to our call and the call of many others and decided to provide safety and security to Syrian refugees caught up in a tragic situation.

“Even though this number is small given the huge numbers of Syrian people on the move, it sends a powerful message that as a country we are prepared to open our hearts to help children and their families.

Given our position on the United Nations Security Council it’s vital our government sends a signal that it is willing to take a leadership role and this change of heart does exactly that,” says Ms Hayden.

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