ROME -- Around another 100 refugees are set to arrive on Tuesday through the humanitarian corridor set up earlier in the year.  This dream is being realised thanks to work by the Sant’Egidio Community Project, the Federation of Evangelical Churches in Italy and the Waldensian Church.

 The welcome meeting is expected to take place at 11a.m., along with a press conference, in Terminal Five at Fiumicino.  The 101 refugees are arriving from Beirut and are of Syrian origins.  These new arrivals show the “humanitarian corridor” project to no longer simply be an experiment but have proved its worth as a concrete reality that allows those fleeing from war and “conditions of vulnerability” to arrive safely and legally into Italy without risking their lives in the Mediterranean.

 Those counted for living under “conditions of vulnerability” include victims of persecution, torture and violence, families with children, single women, the elderly, the sick, people with disabilities.  The project was made possible thanks to an agreement that was reached in mid-December between the Italian Government (The ministries for Foreign Affairs and the Interior), the Community of Sant’Egidio, the Federation of Evangelical Churches in Italy and Tavola Valdese (The Waldensian Church).

 It provides for the arrival of around a thousand people over two years, not only from Lebanon, but also from Morocco and Ethiopia and is an important example of reception and integration for the rest of Europe, in a model that can be replicated in other countries.

 Those present will include: Andrea Riccardi, founder of the Sant'Egidio Community, Pastor Luca Maria Negro, President of the Federation of Evangelical Churches in Italy; Paolo Naso, Tavola Valdese; Mario Giro, Deputy Foreign Minister, Daniela Pompei, head of immigration services of the Community of Sant'Egidio  

 Participants to the briefing must arrive at Terminal 5 in Fiumicino, not later than 10.30a.m.  For more information or accreditation please contact: Press Office ADR, Francesco Albertario: albertario.f@adr.it

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