Meeting with the City of Hafnarfjörður about the reception of refugees
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On the recommendation of the Refugee Committee, the Minister for Social Affairs and Housing has decided to accept the offer of the municipalities of Akureyri, Hafnarfjörður and Kópavogur to enter into negotiations on the reception of the first group of refugees that the Icelandic government intends to invite to Iceland, and who are expected to arrive in December.
On the Ministry of Welfare's website A letter is being published to those local authorities that have declared their readiness to receive refugees, informing them of this decision. The letter reads as follows:
„The Ministry of Welfare thanks the interest and goodwill that a number of local authorities have shown in plans to receive refugees.
In accordance with the government's decision, it is planned to receive refugees through the mediation of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and preparations for the reception of the first group have already begun. Reports have been requested from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and it is expected that the data will be sent to the refugee committee.
On the recommendation of the Refugee Committee, the Minister for Social Affairs and Housing has decided to accept the offer from the municipalities of Akureyri, Hafnarfjörður and Kópavogur to enter into negotiations to receive the first group, which will arrive in December. The Minister for Social Affairs and Housing has already met with representatives of Akureyri but will now meet with representatives of the municipalities of Hafnarfjörður and Kópavogur.
In light of the government's plans to invite more refugees to settle in Iceland next year, it has been decided to hold a meeting with representatives of those municipalities that have shown an interest in the matter, at which they will be given a more detailed briefing on what is involved in receiving refugees.
The ministry will also discuss the issue of refugees who have been granted international protection in this country following a fast-track procedure. In total, 54 individuals have been granted refugee status this year, which is a significant increase on previous years.“