Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps have been taken to intensify outreach to LGBT refugees who may be in need of resettlement under the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme.

In all of the countries from which we resettle refugees fleeing the Syrian conflict, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has undertaken significant efforts to ensure that LGBTI individuals are able to register. These include establishing mobile registration units, outreach teams and help desks for areas where different minority groups are concentrated. This is all part of an effort to facilitate registration for those refugees who, for whatever reason, cannot or choose not to access the main registration offices.

In addition to training its staff on LGBTI issues, UNHCR also works closely with partner non-governmental organisations (NGOs) supporting the LGBTI community in the region to facilitate registration, ensure access to services and explore available durable solutions, which may include consideration for resettlement. The NGOs have autonomy to refer such cases to UNHCR where particular protection concerns exist.