Refugees head for America

A group of 20 refugees from Somalia, Eritrea and Sudan will be leaving Malta today to begin a new life in the US.

Since the permanent refugee resettlement programme was announced last May, over 240 refugees have been resettled in the US.

The programme is a collaborative partnership between the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the International Office of Migration, the US Department of Homeland Security and a number of local non-governmental organisations.

US Embassy Chargé d'Affaires Jason Davis said the continuation of the refugee resettlement programme showed America's commitment to help ease the burden that migration placed on Malta. It also demonstrated its recognition of the enormous challenges and dangers many migrants faced.

"This occasion marks the culmination of months of hard work on the part of UNHCR, IOM and the US government as well as many others here in Malta who have dedicated themselves to improving the lives of hundreds of refugees in need of humanitarian assistance," he said.

Mr Davis said all refugees were assigned a sponsor agency that provided initial services such as housing, food and clothing as well as referral to medical care, employment services and other support during a transition period lasting up to two years to ensure integration and assimilation.