Four families of refugees in Lebanon, who had escaped from the war in Syria, arrived in Paris on the night of March 23 thanks to humanitarian corridors, which were opened in France through an agreement between the Community of Sant'Egidio, other Christian organizations, and the French state.
Happy faces at Roissy-Charles-de-Gaulle airport, where they were greeted by applause, flowers, refreshments, and the traditional "Welcome to France" banner. Accompanied by members of volunteer groups to receive them, the families then reached their cities in the four corners of France, where they will find the support they need to start their lives in their new country; a country that is at peace.
107 people have found refuge in France since March 14, 2017. This date marked the signing at the Elysee Palace of a memorandum of understanding between the French government, the Community of Sant'Egidio, the Protestant Federation of France, the Conference of Bishops of France, Caritas, and Protestants.
In particular, the humanitarian corridors were established for the first time in Italy at the initiative of Sant'Egidio, where more than 1,000 refugees have been welcomed and accompanied to integration since 2015. The humanitarian corridors show the face of a Europe faithful to its values of hospitality, solidarity, and peace because integration protects more than walls.
"Continue to open humanitarian corridors for refugees who are fleeing from war and hunger. The poor are your treasure!” Pope Francis said this on March 11 during his visit to Sant'Egidio on the occasion of the Community's 50th anniversary in Rome. Yes, these 100 refugees are a start because France, Europe, and the world need more solidarity.
Eight families will be welcomed in Brussels next Monday.
They will be welcomed by families in different parts of the country. A new group is expected in Belgium on Monday, the 26.
