LONDON (TIP): In a moving gesture of solidarity, over 700 Scottish families have officially registered with the government pledging to open their homes for refugees fleeing persecution and conflict.

Scotland‘s Europe minister Humza Yousaf said on Thursday that a new website to help co-ordinate Scotland’s response to the refugee crisis has been viewed 10,000 times in the first 48 hours.

“Seven hundred people from across Scotland – Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, North Berwick, Kilmarnock, Falkirk, Dundee, Troon, Campbeltown, Isle of Mull – have signed up to help, offering accommodation, befriending services and English language skills,” Yousaf said.

He added “People across Scotland have been moved by the harrowing images. We continue to see generations of families on the move in search of somewhere safe and desperately looking for somewhere they are welcome and accepted. Scotland will welcome them. The hundreds of people that have offered assistance within 48 hours through the new website illustrates our nation’s compassion, its humanity, our willingness to help those less fortunate”.

Meanwhile the University of Edinburgh staff have offered refugee students english language tuition, financial advice, counselling and support with admissions.

The University announced it will provide financial assistance for students with refugee status, including £100,000 in refugee scholarship support over the next three years.

The university said “In the last year the University has supported 14 students and a number of Syrian academics who have fled from the Middle East and other areas”.