Philippines to take in Syrian refugees

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Pia Lee-Brago (The Philippine Star) - September 8, 2015 - 10:00am
MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines is ready to take in Syrian refugees in
response to the humanitarian crisis in Europe, the Department of Foreign
Affairs (DFA) said yesterday.

Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose said the Philippines could be a

temporary destination as refugees await acceptance from a host country for
resettlement.

Jose said the Philippines needs to assess its resources and capabilities
before it can decide to take in people escaping from war-torn nations.

“While we will abide by our commitments as a signatory to the UN Convention

on refugees, we should also take into account our own resources and
capabilities, considering we are still in the rehabilitation stage from the
aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda,” Jose said.

The head of the United Nations refugee agency is urging the European Union
(EU) to accept up to 200,000 asylum-seekers fleeing the conflict zones in
Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Hundreds of thousands of people are risking their lives to cross the

Mediterranean Sea into Europe.

UN High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres said the largest influx
of refugees into Europe for decades requires a “massive common effort” and
a break from the current fragmented approach, which he said has failed to find
an effective common response.

“The issue should be addressed at its source, so the international community

could help the countries from where these refugees are coming,” Jose said.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said the shocking images of
children on the shores of Europe must be matched by action as the migrant
and refugee crisis in the region deepens.

In June, the Philippines expressed willingness to share with ASEAN

(Association of Southeast Asian Nations) member-states, who would take in
Bangladeshi and ethnic Rohingya migrants, its best practices in the
processing of refugees and managing workers’ deployment.
The DFA said this was discussed during the special meeting on irregular
migration in the Indian Ocean held in Bangkok, Thailand.

The Philippines attended the meeting in solidarity with ASEAN.

The Philippine delegation, composed of officials from the DFA and the
Department of Justice (DOJ), participated in the meeting on Rohingya
refugees.

Read more at https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2015/09/08/1497665/philippines-

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