Twenty refugees from Ethiopia, Eritrea and Somalia have left Malta to begin a new life in the United States, raising the number of refugees who have been taken in by the US from Malta to 320. The latest group of refugees will be resettled in cities across the United States, including Denver, Colorado; Atlanta, Georgia; and Portland, Oregon.

New US Ambassador Douglas Kmiec met the refugees yesterday and reiterated the American government's commitment to help ease the burden that migration has placed on Malta. He also hoped that more of Malta's neighbours would show their support by signing up to the EU's resettlement initiative. (Six countries have done so, pledging to take a total of 100 migrants).

Once in the US, each refugee will be assigned a sponsor agency that provides initial services such as housing, food, and clothing, as well as referral to medical care, employment services, and other support.