The 64 refugees, mostly from Syria and Iraq, that were expected early this morning, all have arrived safely and will be distributed as soon as possible to reception facilities in 15 locations up and down the country, including in Faro and Olhão in the Algarve.
Deputy Minister, Eduardo Cabrita spoke to journalists after the 64-person group touched down at the Figo Maduro military airport in Lisbon. Cabrita said that 24 children were among the passengers and that the expected number of 68 was short of four people as one family did not travel due to illness.
The minister explained that the refugees had arrived on a flight chartered by the European Support Office on Asylum (ASEO) and that this was all part of Portugal’s obligation to take in 4,500 refugees as part of the agreed European distribution.
Cabrita said "Portugal and France are two countries that showed a sign of solidarity and said ‘no’ to closing borders, and saying ‘yes’ to European cooperation to support those fleeing the war and situations of hardship. This group of people will, after administrative formalities, be placed in institutions all over the country."
The Deputy Minister added that Portugal’s attitude to taking in refugees will be voiced at today’s EU-Turkish summit on border controls at which Portugal will reject closed borders as a way forward in this crisis; "This is a Europe where there is freedom of movement," said Cabrita.
The 64 refugees, mostly Syrians and Iraqis, but also two Eritreans and two from the Yemen, will be distributed to Beja, Santarém, Lisbon, Faro, Olhão, Nisa, Torres Novas, Guimarães, Sintra, Braga, Évora, Espinho, Porto, Setúbal and Nazaré.
"They will be placed in social welfare institutions, in Casas de Misericordia and in homes designated by councils, and will be supported by the Portuguese Council for Refugees, the Support Platform for Refugees, the Jesuit Service for the Support of Refugees and by the Red Cross which all are cooperating,” confirmed Cabrita, adding that there is European financial support for 18 months while the refugees settle in.
"This support is in the Portuguese framework, so in addition to financial support there is access to the National Health Service, there is schooling for children and the right to social housing. Ideally we will have peace in Syria and Iraq and that these people then can consider returning to their countries. If this doesn’t happen, we will consider how to integrate them into Portuguese society," said the Deputy Minister, adding that another 50 refugees are inbound on Thursday.
"What is important is the opportunity for Portugal to play an active role in this process, which means we are available at this stage to take in 10,000 refugees by the year end," said Cabrita, echoing the prime minister’s pledge that a figure well in excess of the 4,500 agreed places can be made available.
