Refugee accord renewed in Italy

Rome, Nov 7 :  The Italian government, a leading Catholic charity and Evangelical and Waldensian churches on Tuesday renewed agreement to help refugees enter Italy legally and safely, the Interior Ministry said in a statement.

The accord was signed in Rome by Italy's Foreign and Interior Ministries, the Catholic Community of St Egidio charity, the Federation of Evangelical Churches and the Waldensian Church, the ministry saidd.

The 'Opening of Humanitarian Corridors' project should help 1,000 refugees in Lebanon and Morocco, the ministry said.

A thousand people - mainly Syrians - entered Italy from Lebanon in 2016-2017 under the project, the ministry said.

The project aims to assist the most vulnerable refugees, including women travelling alone with children, elderly, disabled and sick people, and potential human trafficking victims. 

Assistance provided to refugees under the project includes Italian lessons, job placements and enrolling children in schools, according to the ministry.