The first Syrian refugees are set to arrive in Iceland later today, the Icelandic Natonal Broadcasting Service reports. Six families who have been living in a Lebanese refugee camp will arrive by plane from Beirut. Two of the families will settle in Kópavogur, a suburban municipality in the Capital Region, while four families will continue to the town of Akureyri in North Iceland. A total of 35 people, 13 adults and 22 children arrive today.
Read more: Iceland will not reconsider decision to accept Syrian refugees following Paris terrorist attacks
The group arrived in Paris from Beirut this morning, where the following video was shot:
The refugees will arrive in Keflavík in the afternoon. They will receive a formal reception with a ceremony at Keflavík international airport at 16:30, where they will be welcomed to Iceland. Four of the families are then headed north to Akureyri. Eiríkur Börn Björgvinsson, the mayor of Akureyri told the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service that he expects the group to be tired when it finally arrives in Akureyri tonight. “But I will go and meet them to offer them a formal welcome. Tomorrow we are planning a little bigger reception.”
Read more: Akureyri will be the first Icelandic town to take in Syrian refugees
Last month the refugees received a crash course in Icelandic society and culture to prepare them for their arrival. However, Eiríkur is a little worried they might not be prepared for the cold. Akureyri is covered in snow, and according to the weather forecast the next few days will see temperatures drop below 8°C (17.6°F). The short daylight might also be a factor. Sunrise in Akureyri was at 10:59 today, and sunset at 15:59, leaving five hours of daylight.
Originally the plan had been to welcome the people in December, but their arrival was pushed back due to unforeseen circumstances. According to an announcement by the Ministry of Welfare the group arriving today is also smaller than originally planned. One family had to postpone its arrival, as a woman in the group is pregnant and could not travel at this time.
Three other families who had sought to relocate to Iceland, and had been invited by Icelandic authorities, withdrew their application. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees and the Icelandic Ministry of Welfare are now working on finding new candidates to replace those three families. The later arrivals are expected to settle in the town of Hafnarfjörður in the Capital region and the suburb of Kópavogur.
The first Syrian refugees are set to arrive in Iceland later today, the Icelandic Natonal Broadcasting Service reports. Six families who have been living in a Lebanese refugee camp will arrive by plane from Beirut. Two of the families will settle in Kópavogur, a suburban municipality in the Capital Region, while four families will continue to the town of Akureyri in North Iceland. A total of 35 people, 13 adults and 22 children arrive today.
Read more: Iceland will not reconsider decision to accept Syrian refugees following Paris terrorist attacks
The group arrived in Paris from Beirut this morning, where the following video was shot:
The refugees will arrive in Keflavík in the afternoon. They will receive a formal reception with a ceremony at Keflavík international airport at 16:30, where they will be welcomed to Iceland. Four of the families are then headed north to Akureyri. Eiríkur Börn Björgvinsson, the mayor of Akureyri told the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service that he expects the group to be tired when it finally arrives in Akureyri tonight. “But I will go and meet them to offer them a formal welcome. Tomorrow we are planning a little bigger reception.”
Read more: Akureyri will be the first Icelandic town to take in Syrian refugees
Last month the refugees received a crash course in Icelandic society and culture to prepare them for their arrival. However, Eiríkur is a little worried they might not be prepared for the cold. Akureyri is covered in snow, and according to the weather forecast the next few days will see temperatures drop below 8°C (17.6°F). The short daylight might also be a factor. Sunrise in Akureyri was at 10:59 today, and sunset at 15:59, leaving five hours of daylight.
Originally the plan had been to welcome the people in December, but their arrival was pushed back due to unforeseen circumstances. According to an announcement by the Ministry of Welfare the group arriving today is also smaller than originally planned. One family had to postpone its arrival, as a woman in the group is pregnant and could not travel at this time.
Three other families who had sought to relocate to Iceland, and had been invited by Icelandic authorities, withdrew their application. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees and the Icelandic Ministry of Welfare are now working on finding new candidates to replace those three families. The later arrivals are expected to settle in the town of Hafnarfjörður in the Capital region and the suburb of Kópavogur.
