While the war in Syria continues - the doors of neighboring countries have now closed for the refugees - the Community of Sant'Egidio welcomes with great satisfaction the announcement of the opening of new humanitarian corridors by France. This happened thanks to the agreement that will be signed by President François Hollande on Tuesday, March 14 at the Elysée Palace.
Over a year and a half, the project will concern 500 Syrian and Iraqi refugees who are currently in Lebanon. The priority will be given to the most vulnerable (families with children, single women, the elderly, the sick, and people with disabilities). Specifically, they will travel by plane and not on barges, without risking their lives by going through departure checks. They will be welcomed on the French territory by the five sponsoring organizations: the Community of Sant'Egidio, the Protestant Federation of France, the French Bishops' Conference, Entraide Protestante et Secours Catholique. Interior Minister Bruno Le Roux and Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault will sign as the representatives of the French government.
President of Sant'Egidio, Marco Impagliazzo, comments by saying "this is a new important step forward toward a Europe that does not close out of fear behind walls but confronts the arrival of refugees who are fleeing war. Europe is starting to look with humanity at the safety of everybody, of those fleeing conflict and those who welcome them and foster integration.”
A delegation from Rome, which is led by the founder of the Community of Sant'Egidio (Andrea Riccardi), will travel to Paris for this event.
President Hollande will sign the agreement at the Elysee Palace on Tuesday 14.
