Their names are Jamal, Fairouz, Ismail, Nawal or Mouna: they are just some of 98 refugees – Christians and Muslims, between 0 and 83 years – that the 3rd of May will arrive at Fiumicino Airport from Beirut with “humanitarian corridors”: the pilot project which in the framework of the Agreement between the Italian government, the Federation of Protestant churches in Italy (FCEI), the Community of Sant’Egidio and Waldensian board, has already allowed 97 Syrian refugees to flights to Italy, and will involve people not only from Lebanon, but also from Morocco and Ethiopia.
Given their highly vulnerable condition, the refugees – including 43 children – on the morning of May the 3rd will not risk their life on a smugglers’ rubber boat, but will flight safely towards Italy, with a “visa for humanitarian reasons” as envisaged by the Schengen Visa Regulation Rules: 36 families, not only Syrians, but also Iraqis, thanks to this ecumenical project of “humanitarian corridors” will enter legally in Italy. Upon arrival, they can than issue their regular asylum claim.
Turin, Milan, Florence, Terni, Rome, Frosinone, Potenza between the final destinations of the various families, which will be housed in facilities made available by the project promoters and their partners.