An Algarve Red Cross delegation has offered land on which to build a refugee camp.
The plot was earmarked for a new kindergarten but as there are not enough kids in the area due to Portugal's low birth rate, the Red Cross delegation of Moncarrapacho-Fuzeta is ready and willing to build refugee camp on the 1,700 m2 plot in Fuzeta, near Olhão.
The chairman of the delegation, António Palma, offered the land back in July, in a letter sent to the Portuguese Refugee Council.
The Red Cross spokesman said that the plot in question already has planning permission for the pre-school but in the meantime the land could be used to erect temporary accommodation for 40 to 50 of those fleeing the ISIS regime in the middle east.
The government’s announcement last week that it was to accept just 1,400 refugees has evoked widespread criticism at the low number.
The Portuguese Council for Refugees said that offers to help the refugees have been flooding in with Portuguese citizens and institutions willing to help house and care for those displaced by ISIS.
The government said that it soon it will start the process to receive a slightly raised quota of 1,500 refugees over the next two years, mostly from Syria as part of Portugal’s humanitarian aid commitment.
Six ministries are involved in the process and it now is thought that the government further will raise its quota as help is being offered for the accommodation of the displaced and media has pointed out the low quota when compared to Germany which is taking in 100,000 refugees per month.
Portugal’s government is in further discussions with Europe over numbers as the flow of refugees is increasing with camps overflowing. The ministries involved have been working on their plans to take in more than previously agreed
The Portuguese Council for Refugees that runs two reception centers for asylum seekers and refugees, said today that there staff are receiving hundreds of phone calls, e-mails, and visits from people who want to know how they can help to welcome the foreigners, motivated by the images of the drama of those who have been risking their lives trying to enter Europe.
Casa Misericordia in Lisbon has offered to take in and care for 350 people, and in Oporto a further 20.
Several councils have expressed their willingness to take in refugees, including Sintra, Santarém, Batalha, Oliveira do Hospital and Idanha-a-Nova.
In a later meeting between the Red Cross and Olhão council it was decided that Fuseta perhaps was not the best choice of location as it is a tourist area.
"It is a consensus that the land in Fuzeta is not the most appropriate location" said the Director-General of the Red Cross, Luís Névoa, who also attended the meeting.
According to Olhão's mayor António Pina the installation of refugee shelter in Fuzeta "not consistent" with "a village that is developing its tourism."
The alternatives discussed are the parishes of Quelfes, Pechão and near Moncarapacho.
Comments
This tells us Ed that last weeks airbnb stories are as relevant as ever ! Offering beds for the displaced. And driving the new arrivals to the benefits offices, government ministries, hospitals and even shops .... the Uber drivers !
Showing that Portugal has at last embraced the 'sharing economy'.