Humanitarian corridors, another 67 refugees arrive from the Horn of Africa: they will be welcomed in Lazio, Campania, Emilia Romagna, Lombardy and Veneto

ROME – 67 refugees from the Horn of Africa will arrive on Wednesday 26 April at Leonardo Da Vinci airport in Fiumicino, with an Ethiopian Airlines scheduled flight from Addis Ababa. This is the first trip made possible by the signing of the third Memorandum of Understanding between Community of Sant’Egidio, Italian Episcopal Conference (which acts through Italian Caritas) and the Italian government for the opening of the humanitarian corridors from Ethiopia.

Most of them will find hospitality in relatives’ homes. The 67 people, of Eritrean and South Sudanese nationality, had long been refugees in Ethiopia and were, for the most part, reported by relatives or friends who are in Italy, some of whom had previously come with humanitarian corridors. Most of them will find hospitality in the homes of relatives, a guarantee of easier and more rapid integration in our country. The arriving families will be welcomed in various Italian regions (Lazio, Campania, Emilia Romagna, Lombardy, Veneto) and embarked on an integration process: for minors through immediate enrollment in school, for adults with learning Italian language and, once the refugee status has been obtained, entry into the world of work. All this thanks to a totally self-financed project with the 8×1000 of the CEI, funds raised by Community of Sant’Egidio and the generosity of many citizens who have offered their homes and their free and voluntary commitment.

Wednesday’s appointment. The appointment for welcoming the refugees and a press conference are set for 11.30 on Wednesday 26 April, with arrival at gate number 5 of Terminal 3-departures of Fiumicino. A conference will follow. Marco Impagliazzo, president of the Community of Sant’EgidioSilvia Sinibaldi, deputy director of Italian Caritasand representatives of the Ministries of Interior and Foreign Affairs.