U.S. Ambassador Douglas Kmiec has visited the Open Center in Hal Far and presented warm clothes and blankets collected by the staff of the U.S. Embassy and students' parents at Verdala International School and QSI International School.

The Ambassador was accompanied by his wife, Carolyn Keenan Kmiec, and representatives from both schools.

Most of the migrants who are resettled in the United States under the U.S. Embassy's refugee resettlement programme spend some time in open centers like Hal Far during their time in Malta. Several volunteer groups and NGOs work at the centers to provide lessons in English, health and hygiene, and cultural integration.

Ambassador Kmiec said the educational and integration programmes run in the open centers were an essential component to helping irregular migrants, many of whom had risked life and limb to escape war and injustice in their homelands.

The donation amounted to over 100 new blankets, over 50 warm coats, and dozens of sweaters, long trousers, and woolen socks.

Over 360 refugees living in Malta have been resettled to the United States since the US Embassy established its permanent resettlement programme in May 2008.