Syrian Refugees to Leave Lebanon for Temporary Resettlement in Germany
Germany's relocation program for Syrian refugees is getting under way with 107 people gaining temporary new homes.
U.N. refugee agency spokeswoman Melissa Fleming said Tuesday the refugees — including survivors of torture and others with special needs mainly those with untreated medical conditions — are due to leave Lebanon on Wednesday headed for Hannover under the temporary program announced by Germany in March for up to 5,000 Syrian refugees.
Fleming told reporters Tuesday in Geneva the group will receive a 14-day cultural orientation course in Friedland then leave for locations across Germany.
Germany is "setting an important example," Fleming said, by allowing the refugees to work under two-year residence permits that could be extended if Syria's crisis remains unchanged.
She says Austria has proposed a similar program for 500 refugees.
10 September 2013, 14:29
15
107, well, wow, taking such a load off our back, 0.01% of the load that is.
Still, it's better than nothing and I'm sure this is helpful to both Lebanon and the refugees themselves, so, good.
10 September 2013, 14:39
10
They should have done the same for hundreds of thousands of PALESTINIAN refugees. Germany is guilty of crimes against humanity during WWII that resulted in the creation of the state of Isarel, and the PAlestinian Nakba that followed.
10 September 2013, 15:42
05
Why Germany ? Why not set up a UN Refugee camp for all the Syrians in their secluded native land called the Golan Heights with ALL required medical , social, & security arrangements ? This will take a heavy burden off all the affected countries and help the refugees with all the welfare provided by HRW / UN for a lot less outlay that currently is required !
What are they scared of ? The Israelis ? Get the Security Council to work by passing a resolution on Humanitarian grounds immediately ! It is after all, Syrians territory !!!
Signed Wolf !!!!
10 September 2013, 18:09
13
I wish all other industrialized countries would take example on Germany. Its policies are maybe the only ones in the world which are truly disinterested, which try to do good without hidden agendas.
