The Hafnarfjörður refugee families

The first group of Syrian refugees landed at Keflavik Airport on the afternoon before yesterday after a long journey. The three refugee families, who will be settling in Hafnarfjörður, were not in the group this time. Two of them were unable to come, and there will be a delay for the third due to family circumstances. The selection of new families is underway. The families are expected to arrive in the country at the beginning of March.

 The group that arrived in the country the day before yesterday consisted of six families, 13 adults and 22 children. It was planned that there would be ten families, and that three of them would settle in Hafnarfjörður. Due to changed circumstances, there will be some delay for the families coming to Hafnarfjörður. Three families who had expressed an interest in settling in Iceland were unable to come, and there will be a delay for one family due to the expectant mother's imminent delivery. It is always possible that people who have been offered resettlement will cancel their travel, and the reasons for this can be varied. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, in cooperation with the Icelandic authorities, has prepared for the arrival of a group of refugees to take their place. It is planned that this group will arrive within a few weeks and the people will settle in Hafnarfjörður and Kópavogur.

 „We are eagerly awaiting our families and will be welcoming with open arms the group that is chosen. Everything is ready here, and the municipal staff, in cooperation with the strong local Red Cross in Hafnarfjörður, representatives from the Ministry of Welfare, and others, have prepared for their arrival thoroughly and carefully.  Everyone is united in their aim to help the families integrate into society quickly and safely, and to ensure they feel welcome.“ says Rannveig Einarsdóttir, Director of Family Services. 

Image owner: mbi.is