Labour Party leader Andrew Little says his belief that New Zealand should immediately double its refugee quota has been reinforced by a visit to a refugee camp in Jordan.
Photo: RNZ / Alexander Robertson
Mr Little yesterday visited Zaatari camp, which is about ten kilometres from the Syrian border, after earlier visiting New Zealand troops stationed in Iraq.
He said the 80,000 people living in the camp were in cramped conditions with limited facilities, and not enough schools to cater for all the children.
Mr Little said the government should double the annual quota from 750 to 1500 refugees.
He said it was a drop in the ocean compared with the total number of refugees worldwide, but it would make a huge difference to individual families.
Mr Little said many of the refugees he spoke to had been waiting years to leave the camp.