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Wales Commits to Becoming a Nation of Sanctuary for Refugees

Wales is turning words into action with its Nation of Sanctuary policy. Find out how it's supporting refugees and asylum seekers, and what's next for this ambitious initiative.

,   and  Administrator
2 min read
In the image there are many women and men standing on the road holding banners and flags, they...
In the image there are many women and men standing on the road holding banners and flags, they seems to be protesting and in the back there are buildings and trees and above its sky.

Wales Commits to Becoming a Nation of Sanctuary for Refugees

Wales is taking significant steps to become a place of sanctuary for those seeking refuge. The Welsh Government has committed to welcoming its proportionate share of people seeking sanctuary in the UK, aiming to create a supportive and inclusive environment. This initiative, known as the Nation of Sanctuary policy, has been in place since 2019 and has seen substantial investment.

The journey towards Wales becoming a Nation of Sanctuary began in 2016 when the Welsh Refugee and Asylum Seeker Commission recommended such a move. This led to the Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee recommending the same in the same year. The Nation of Sanctuary Plan was subsequently published in 2019, outlining the goals and actions for this initiative.

The policy is governed and held accountable under the Anti-Racist Wales Action Plan and the Nation of Sanctuary Strategic Oversight Board. It aims to support refugees and asylum seekers in integrating into Welsh life and contributing positively to the nation. This is achieved through partnerships with local authorities, health boards, third sector partners, and communities. One such initiative is the Wales Asylum Seeking and Refugee Doctors (WARD) Group, which continues to support migrant integration and community cohesion.

Since its inception, the Nation of Sanctuary policy has seen significant investment. Between 2019 and 2025, around £54,880,000 was allocated, representing less than 0.05% of the Welsh Government's budget. A substantial portion of this, £45,475,000, has been spent supporting Ukrainian arrivals to Wales since March 2019.

Wales' commitment to becoming a Nation of Sanctuary is clear, with a significant investment of resources and a structured plan for implementation. Through partnerships and initiatives like the WARD Group, the Welsh Government is working towards creating a welcoming and supportive environment for those seeking sanctuary. The Nation of Sanctuary Plan continues to be updated, most recently as part of the Anti-racist Wales Action Plan in 2024, ensuring its goals remain relevant and achievable.

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