The project of the humanitarian corridors continues with the arrival in Paris of a new group of Syrian and Iraqi refugees from Lebanon on Tuesday 15 October. They are families who will be welcomed and accompanied by organisations, associations and citizens.
They arrive in France in a safe and legal way, with an Air France flight. They are a group of 15 people, among whom 9 children.
The families will go to regions where others have already been welcomed: Gard, Drôme and the Ain.
They were awaited at Roissy Charles-de-Gaulle airport with all the warmth and fraternity that families in exile, wounded by war, deserve.
More than 2,600 refugees arrived in Europe through the humanitarian corridors
The stories of those who have already arrived, demonstrate that it is possible not only to save people from human trafficking, but also to undertake ways of integration. In a time in which helping those in need seems more and more difficult, the model proposed by the Community of Sant'Egidio – together with the Ministeries of Internal and External Affairs, the Protestant Federation in France, the Bishops' Conference in France and Secours catholique-Caritas France – has seen solidarity grow, thanks to the generosity of numerous French people (some of whom have offered hospitality in their own homes) and their voluntary and free commitment.
Since February 2016, more than 2,600 refugees have arrived in Italy, France, Belgium and Andorra through the humanitarian corridors.
The humanitarian corridors in France
The newcomers were welcomed by associations, parishes, communities and families in more than 36 French departments. Priority was given to learning the French language and a school for the children. Once they received the official status as refugees, the adults were guided towards professional integration, with the aim of becoming independent within one year, in order to allow other refugees to be accomodated.
With this new arrival, the number of persons welcomed in France rises to 390, consisting of 100 families. They are mostly Syrians and more than 45% are minors.
