Vatican: appeal for neglected Asian and African migrants "trapped in Lebanon"
The Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People has urged Syria to facilitate entry procedures and temporary asylum for the refugees.
Vatican City (AsiaNews) "Special concern" for the fate of "thousands of migrants workers who are trapped in the conflict" of Lebanon, especially those from Africa and Asia who are "more abandoned", was expressed today by the Secretary of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People. Issuing a statement, Mgr Agostino Marchetto added his voice "to all those who have been asking for an immediate ceasefire of the hostilities", calling for the opening of "humanitarian corridors" and urging Syria in particular to facilitate the refugees' entry.
The text of the message is as follows: "During these difficult days, especially for Lebanon, I would like to add my voice to all those who have been asking for an immediate ceasefire of the hostilities. Moreover, the humanitarian Community should get access to the suffering civilian population who is forced to flee. The hundreds of thousands of displaced persons need our urgent attention. Humanitarian corridors should be put in place so that efficient and concrete assistance will be given.
As Secretary of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People I would especially draw attention to the fate of the thousands of migrants workers who got trapped in the conflict, with our special concern for those who are from Asian or African countries, who are more abandoned. May the international institutions come to their assistance and evacuate them to safer places and/or assist them to return home.
In addition, 22,000 persons (Sudanese and Iraqis) who received asylum in Lebanon are facing the consequences of the hostilities with special difficulties.
It would be of assistance to all of them if the entry procedures at the Lebanese-Syrian border would be facilitated and if the Government of Syria would allow them (Lebanese, migrants and recognized refugees) to enter temporarily and grant them protection during this time of violence.
We hope that today's meeting in Rome addresses the different aspect of the Middle East crisis and will lead to an end of the violence, the adequate support of the civilian population and the beginning of long-term global solutions, for peace and security of all in the region."
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