Party for asylum seekers organised in Reykjavik

Þórunn Ólafsdóttir, director of Akkeri.

Þórunn Ólafsdóttir, director of Akkeri. mbl.is/Ófeigur Lýðsson

Akkeri, an association working on behalf of refugees are organising a party for asylum seekers on New Years Eve in Reykjavik. The party received the support of the City of Reykjavik and will be held at the City Hall by Lake Tjörnin. 

Director of Akkeri, Þórunn Ólafsdóttir says in an interview with mbl.is that the idea came up in Greece ast summer when Akkeri organised a Eid muslim festival over there at the refugee campl.  They collected enough funds to be able to offer a festive meal for all the people in the refugee camp. 

"It's good for people to be able to have some fun and to become human again for a while. Every day is a long one for people waiting to receive answers about what will happen to their application."

She adds that New Year's Eve is difficult for people who have suffered. "This is an experiment in showing people that they are worth something and that they are welcome in our community."

Cakes and coffee will be on offer at the event, which takes place after dinner, with a special children's corner offering plenty of entertainment .

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