Malta to France
A group of 93 Refugees have been assisted by the IOM for their relocation from Malta to France, in order to start new lives.
They were accompanied by the French Ambassador, IOM medical escort, and were welcomed by France’s Minister of Immigration, National Identity and Co-Development Eric Besson, on their arrival.
The refugees comprising of nearly 71 adults and 22 children will be relocated to the small towns across the France, as a part of the intra EU Relocation from Malta (EUREMA) project. This project aims at relocating the refugee groups from Malta to the other EU Member States.
The pilot relocation project is in response to the European Pact on Immigration and Asylum, and constitutes the largest intra-European resettlement operation with the support of IOM.
It is carried out by the Maltese and the French authorities, UNHCR and NGOs, a 5 hour pre departure orientation class is provided by the IOM, in order to help these people to develop realistic expectations for starting a new life in France. They were also given assistance on their arrival at transit and during the boarding procedures.
The refugees will be given assistance by the French Office of Immigration and Integration (OFII) which holds the responsibility of a 1 year long integration program. It will provide them with the housing support, food, clothing, employment, medical care and treatments, and other beneficiaries, during their self-sufficiency transition period; will be sheltered at the reception centers for a maximum period of 6 months.