Iceland to receive 55 Syrian refugees next month

Iceland's social affairs and housing minister Eyglo Hardardottir Wednesday signed an agreement with mayors of three local towns on receiving 55 Syrian refugees scheduled to arrive in Iceland next month.

This group of Syrian refugees comprises of ten families, 20 adults and 35 children who are all currently in a refugee camp in Lebanon. The refugees will settle in Akureyri, Hafnarfirdur and Kopavogur, according to a statement on the ministry's website.

Hardardottir welcomed the refugees to Iceland, saying she was confident that local authorities will do everything to receive them as well as possible so that they will feel happy here and will adapt to Icelandic society.

The agreement covers a two-year reception project which is in accordance with suggestion from local authorities. The state will pay 173.4 million Icelandic krona (1.3 million U.S. dollars) to the municipalities in accordance with the agreement.

Red Cross in Iceland will also take part in the settlement task by providing the refugees furniture for their allocated homes and helping them to fit in the Icelandic society. (1 U.S. dollar=133 Icelandic Krona)

Sources: XINHUA