Ireland is to resettle 50 women, men, and children from Moria camp on the Greek island of Lesbos which burnt down in a devastating fire last month leaving more than 12,000 people in emergency need of shelter.
In a video posted on Twitter, Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee said the refugee families will be resettled under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP).
Minister for Children, Disability, Equality, and Integration, Roderic O’Gorman had earlier said Ireland had committed to resettling four minors from Moria into Tusla’s care.
“It was truly awful to see families, children, sleeping on the side of the road. They have lost whatever few possessions they had,” said McEntee.
‘’Ireland as a country has always stepped up to the mark and ensure we provide for people who need it,’’ she said.
A total of 1,022 people have been brought to Ireland under the relocation strand of the Irish Refugee Protection Programme since 2015.
The minister noted Ireland had also agreed to accept an additional 36 unaccompanied minors from Greece.
The families arriving from Greece have already been granted International Protection status by Greek authorities. McEntee will grant ‘Programme Refugee’ status immediately to the 50 people upon their arrival in Ireland.
The minister’s announcement follows the launch of the 400 Welcomes campaign earlier this week, which is calling on the Government to urgently evacuate 400 people from the burnt-out Moria camp.
SOURCE: Newsday
