Akureyri, North Iceland, will be the first community to take in refugees fleeing the civil war in Syria, reports the National Broadcasting Service.
Sigríður Stefánsdóttir, head of Akureyri’s social and human rights department, says the people of Akureyri will welcome Syrian refugees into their community with open arms.
“What people want is to feel safe, have a roof over their head and to be able to work and support themselves and their families.”
She notes that integration is a complex and gradual process which demands effort and patience from both the individual and the host society. She says it’s important that Akureyri town support the families for at least a year to help them integrate more easily.
Iceland plans to take in a number of Syrian refugees and help them resettle into towns and communities across the country. In addition to Akureyri, Akranes, Strandir region, and the Reykjavík suburb of Hafnarfjörður have shown interest in accommodating refugees.
Akureyri, North Iceland, will be the first community to take in refugees fleeing the civil war in Syria, reports the National Broadcasting Service.
Sigríður Stefánsdóttir, head of Akureyri’s social and human rights department, says the people of Akureyri will welcome Syrian refugees into their community with open arms.
“What people want is to feel safe, have a roof over their head and to be able to work and support themselves and their families.”
She notes that integration is a complex and gradual process which demands effort and patience from both the individual and the host society. She says it’s important that Akureyri town support the families for at least a year to help them integrate more easily.
Iceland plans to take in a number of Syrian refugees and help them resettle into towns and communities across the country. In addition to Akureyri, Akranes, Strandir region, and the Reykjavík suburb of Hafnarfjörður have shown interest in accommodating refugees.
