The refugees destined to test Portugal’s response and resettlement mechanisms are still in a camp in Egypt and should have arrived in Portugal in September.
Most of the 45 are Syrian and a statement from Portugal’s Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF) announced that the refugees are arriving under a UNHCR resettlement process and are nothing to do with the process of resettling 4,500 refugees under the EC master-plan which has yet to be tested.
According to the SEF, the refugees in Cairo should have reached Portugal last month as part of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees quota apportioned to Portugal in 2014.
A bureaucratic problem in Egypt is blamed for blocking their exit from a Cairo refugee camp.
Originating mainly from Syria, but also from Eritrea and Sudan, the refugees will be housed in Penela and in the Lisbon area under a plan still being prepared by several non-governmental organisations such as the Portuguese Refugee Council, the Jesuit Service to Refugees and the Foundation for Assistance, Professional Development & Training.
As for the 4,500 refugees that the EC determined are Portugal’s share of the massive 1 million+ problem, still no sign.
The timing of the arrival of the first group from Egypt is dependent on the organisations that are processing the applications in Italy and Greece, according the the SEF, and it remains to be seen how Portugal copes with this first small group.
Comments
It still defies belief that Brussels let such a backward country as Portugal into the EU. So backward that these mixed Syrian's, Eritreans and Sudanese will just become 'foreigners' once on Portuguese soil. No distinction for their ethnicity, religion, age, diet. Only if they kick off and get publicity - but then they risk a Defamation claim from the Portuguese handing out the food bowls and blankets. For making him look silly.