Leading refugee and migrant settlement agency AMES Australia has welcomed the federal government’s announcement that Australia will take an extra 12,000 refugees from Syria.

AMES Australia CEO Cath Scarth said Australia was well placed to accept the increased number of refugees.

“Australia has the infrastructure and capacity to welcome these people who are fleeing an extraordinarily deadly and viscous conflict,” Ms Scarth said.

“The current crisis in the Middle East and the refugee diaspora it has sparked is unprecedented since the end of World War II,” she said.

“It has become clear in recent days that there is broad community support for this move and AMES Australia stands ready to bring to bear its expertise and long experience in settling refugees to help this group of people find their feet and settle into our communities here in Australia.”

For images, interviews and more information please contact AMES Australia Media Advisor, Laurie Nowell at nowelll@ames.net.au on 03 9938 4031 or 0498 196 500.