Faroese Red Cross: We have a duty to take in refugees

The Prime Minister said on Wednesday that the Faroes are only capable of helping Afghan refugees indirectly by supporting humanitarian organisations.

But this is not correct, says former Prime Minister Jóannes Eidesgaard, who today heads the Faroese Red Cross branch.

“If we want more impact on the international stage, we need to show the world that we are prepared to take responsibility internationally,” he says.

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”Our refugee quota would be around two people, but I cannot see any problems with accommodating up to 10-20 refugees.”

Red Cross Faroe Islands is prepared to take an active role if refugees from Afghanistan come to the Faroes.

”We have a strong network of about 200 volunteers with a wide variety of skills, and I am sure that together with the national authorities, we could help these people here in our country," he says..

“The Red Cross can provide food and clothes, and we have the funds to help pay for accommodation. This is an ideal opportunity to set up an emergency service for this type of relief work in the Faroe Islands.”

Read the Faroese version of this article here.

Translated by prosa.fo.

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