55 Syrian refugees arrive in December
"I'm certain that the municipalities and all others involved will do everything in their power to receive them as well as possible so that they will feel happy here and will adapt to our society," says Minister Harðardóttir. Photo: AFP
Minister of Social Affairs and Housing, Eygló Harðardóttir has signed an agreement with the respective mayors of Kópavogur, Akureyri and Hafnarfjörður on the reception of 55 Syrian refugees scheduled to arrive in Iceland in December.
Preparations for their arrival in cooperation with the UN Refugee Agency has undergone for some time. The group of refugees is comprised of ten families, 20 adults and 35 children who are all currently in a refugee camp in Lebanon. Out of the group, 23 will go to live in Akureyri, North Iceland, 17 in Hafnarfjörður and 15 in Kópavogur, both just outside of Reykjavik.
Harðardóttir said that it was great news that refugees could be welcomed to Iceland. "I'm certain that the municipalities and all others involved will do everything in their power to receive them as well as possible so that they will feel happy here and will adapt to our society. Icelanders need to all help out in this matter, to put our ambitions into doing this in the best way possible."
The Red Cross in Iceland will be helping to receive the refugees, helping to provide furniture for their allocated homes and to provide support families.
