Communities Minister Alex Neil has said the Scottish Government will help volunteers in Dundee ship vital supplies to refugees.
Tonnes of clothes, shoes, toys and toiletries have been donated to Dundee Refugee Support in less than four weeks, while nearly £8,000 has been raised through an online fundraiser.
The generosity has been so great that an ad hoc sorting office has been set up in Swan House in Dundee Technology Park to sort, box and ship the donations.
It is now the biggest centre for donations to refugees in Scotland.
Around four articulated lorries-worth of goods has been collected from around Tayside and Fife to help refugees fleeing war-torn Syria.
Mr Neil, minister for social justice, communities and pensioners’ rights, said the Scottish Government would assist organisers is making sure the goods get to where they are needed the most.
He said: “The response has been absolutely fantastic and just shows that, whatever else is happening in the world, there is still a lot of humanity out there.”
Mr Neil also said that the Scottish Government has pledged £1 million to assist refugees.
“In terms of logistics, if they need our help then we will get in touch with customs and the Border Agency to make sure the goods get where they need to be.”
He added: “This group is an excellent example of people coming together and taking practical steps to help the most vulnerable.
“We cannot ignore those in need, and we will continue to make representations on behalf of the people of Scotland to the UK Government and in European institutions, advocating our position that we must and should do more now because we know that it is the right thing.
“We are still seeing thousands of families desperately searching for somewhere safe to live, and we are again urging the UK Government to opt in to the EU relocation scheme.”
Mr Neil said refugees from Syria will begin arriving in Scotland soon and the country is happy to take its “fair share” of the 20,000 expected to arrive in the UK.
However, he said: “We think that 20,000 figure should be upped. In Glasgow there are already 7,000 refugees and asylum seekers so we have the capacity.”
The Dundee appeal was started by Dundee Refugee Support co-founders Sammi Craig and Jayne Kelly.
Ms Kelly told The Courier: “We are all volunteers and it has been a brilliant team effort.
“The first couple of weeks were overwhelming, but the community has just been fantastic and we have become more organised and focused,” she added.
“The visit today means our work has been recognised, and that will give morale a huge boost.”
She added: “Publicity is always good for us because it keeps our profile up and lets people know we still need their help.”