UNHCR says more help needed for refugees

(Vatican Radio) The United Nations refugee agency sees as positive the adoption of an allocation proposal in Brussels of the European Council of Ministers to receive 40,000 refugees many of whom are from Syria as positive. But it says much more is needed.

Listen to the report from correspondent Peter Kenny:

The UNHCR says this is a single welcome step towards addressing the current refugee situation in Europe.

"UNHCR is deeply disappointed that although a majority of Member States were in agreement with a wider relocation proposal involving 120,000 people, a final consensus on this could not be reached," said UNHCR spokesperson Melissa Fleming.

“Decisive agreement is needed without further delay to address the needs, as is bold action based on solidarity from all Member States,”  she said.

"To succeed, relocation has then to be accompanied by large-scale emergency reception, assistance and registration efforts in the countries most impacted by arrivals, particularly Greece, Hungary and Italy," Fleming stated.

Fleming said a positive development in the EU Presidency conclusions is the support to Greece in reception and asylum. This is critical for the success of the relocation program.

She said special support is needed for Serbia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to support efforts to assist refugees, said Fleming.