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| Refugee crisis: EU emergency meeting as Cameron visits Lebanon – live updates | Refugee crisis: EU emergency meeting as Cameron visits Lebanon – live updates |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 10.27am BST10:27 | |
| Austria has stepped up border controls with Hungary by dispatching troops to the border. | |
| Chancellor Werner Faymann announced more than 2,000 troops will be deployed. | |
| #BREAKING Around 2,200 members of the Austrian military will be deployed to help with the influx of migrants, Chancellor Faymann said | |
| 10.16am BST10:16 | |
| Mona Mahmood | |
| Omer Sami, a Palestinian refugee in Syria has trekked from one refugee camp in Damascus to another in Germany. | |
| Speaking to Mona Mahmood he described the conditions in the camp in Wurzburg: | |
| The camp in Wurzburg city is a deserted school which hosts more than a hundred refugees mainly from Syria, Afghanistan and Albania. There are no women or children in the camp. I sleep in a basemen in a double bed with my cousin who has accompanied me all the way from Damascus to Germany. | |
| The basement is getting colder day by day. There is no heating system and not enough thick blankets. There is only a single main meal at lunchtime. For breakfast and dinner we get only tins of sardines or cheese triangles. I’m seriously thinking of going to Belgium to apply for asylum there. I think the pressure of refugees in Brussels is much less than in Germany and that means the asylum procedures would be faster. | |
| I have received only €180 since I arrived in Germany last month and I’ve moved to three camps so far. I met two Syrian refugees the other day who said that if the situation does not improve they are thinking of going back to Syria. | |
| A few German students visit the camp twice a week to teach us some German words that could help us in our daily communications. But this is not enough, we need a daily lessons in German to be able to read the newspapers and get integrated in the German society. | |
| I used to work as a barber in Damascus to earn my living but now, I would like to complete my studies in Germany. I do not want to rely on the social welfare and isolate myself at home. | |
| The camp officer told us today that it was highly possible another 30 refugee would be transferred to our camp soon despite the lack of space. The moment the war stops in Syria, I will be the first one to head back to my home in Damascus. | |
| 9.57am BST09:57 | |
| The UN’s human rights chief has praised the British public response to the refugee crisis in the face of “long-standing xenophobia” from the press and some politicians. | |
| In a speech to the Human Rights Council in Geneva on Monday, Zeid Raad al-Hussein praised the “ordinary people” who have volunteered to help migrants and refugees in Austria, Belgium, Finland, Germany and “even — despite long-standing xenophobia of tabloids and some politicians — in the United Kingdom.” | |
| He also called “expanded channels of regular migration and resettlement” in Europe. | |
| Hussein said: “I urge European States to build on this surge of human feeling by putting in place an architecture of migration governance that is far more comprehensive, thoughtful, principled and effective. We need expanded channels of regular migration and resettlement – two measures which would prevent deaths and cut smuggling. Detention, particularly of children, and all forms of ill-treatment should cease, at borders and elsewhere.” | |
| 9.26am BST09:26 | 9.26am BST09:26 |
| Despite the rosy pictures presented by David Cameron’s office of help being offered to refugees in Lebanon, Sam Jones and Kareem Shaheen point out that the plight of Syrians in Jordan and Lebanon is so dire that many are contemplating returning to their ruined homeland. | Despite the rosy pictures presented by David Cameron’s office of help being offered to refugees in Lebanon, Sam Jones and Kareem Shaheen point out that the plight of Syrians in Jordan and Lebanon is so dire that many are contemplating returning to their ruined homeland. |
| Related: Destitute Syrian refugees in Jordan and Lebanon may return to warzone | Related: Destitute Syrian refugees in Jordan and Lebanon may return to warzone |
| 9.16am BST09:16 | 9.16am BST09:16 |
| David Cameron is giving a press conference in Beirut. He said the visit provided the opportunity to thank Lebanon for hosting so many refugees. | David Cameron is giving a press conference in Beirut. He said the visit provided the opportunity to thank Lebanon for hosting so many refugees. |
| He said: “It has been an opportunity to meet refugees who will be resettled in Britain and to talk to children who are starting school here today thanks to the UK aid that we are spending. But above all it has been an opportunity to say a very big ‘thank you’ to the Lebanese people for all they are doing to shoulder the burden of refugees fleeing Syria and to reiterate our commitment to do all we can to support them and the Syrian refugees in the years ahead.” | He said: “It has been an opportunity to meet refugees who will be resettled in Britain and to talk to children who are starting school here today thanks to the UK aid that we are spending. But above all it has been an opportunity to say a very big ‘thank you’ to the Lebanese people for all they are doing to shoulder the burden of refugees fleeing Syria and to reiterate our commitment to do all we can to support them and the Syrian refugees in the years ahead.” |
| 8.58am BST08:58 | 8.58am BST08:58 |
| UNHCR says thousands of refugees face 'legal limbo' | UNHCR says thousands of refugees face 'legal limbo' |
| The UN’s refugee agency has warned that tens of thousands of refugees face roaming Europe in “legal limbo” after the reintroduction of border controls by Germany and the planned border crackdown by Hungary. | The UN’s refugee agency has warned that tens of thousands of refugees face roaming Europe in “legal limbo” after the reintroduction of border controls by Germany and the planned border crackdown by Hungary. |
| In a statement ahead of today’s emergency meeting of interior ministers in Brussels the UNHCR said border controls should only be introduced in tandem with an effective reception and relocation programme for refugee. It said: | In a statement ahead of today’s emergency meeting of interior ministers in Brussels the UNHCR said border controls should only be introduced in tandem with an effective reception and relocation programme for refugee. It said: |
| The recent successive announcements of different border control measures by a number of European countries impacted by the refugee and migration crisis only underlines the urgency of establishing a comprehensive European response. | The recent successive announcements of different border control measures by a number of European countries impacted by the refugee and migration crisis only underlines the urgency of establishing a comprehensive European response. |
| This response must be based on the creation of effective reception centers, with the support of all parties concerned including UNHCR, to properly assist, register and screen people upon arrival in Greece, Italy and Hungary. This must be accompanied by the rapid implementation of a relocation programme as proposed by the European Commission. People in need of international protection in accordance with international law should be relocated amongst all European Union countries based on a fair distribution mechanism. | This response must be based on the creation of effective reception centers, with the support of all parties concerned including UNHCR, to properly assist, register and screen people upon arrival in Greece, Italy and Hungary. This must be accompanied by the rapid implementation of a relocation programme as proposed by the European Commission. People in need of international protection in accordance with international law should be relocated amongst all European Union countries based on a fair distribution mechanism. |
| UNHCR is concerned that the combination of different, individual measures might create a situation where large numbers of refugees seeking in Europe the protection they are entitled to receive in line with international law, will find themselves moving around in legal limbo. | UNHCR is concerned that the combination of different, individual measures might create a situation where large numbers of refugees seeking in Europe the protection they are entitled to receive in line with international law, will find themselves moving around in legal limbo. |
| In this context, the decisions of tomorrow’s European Council of Ministers of the Interior are even more critical. | In this context, the decisions of tomorrow’s European Council of Ministers of the Interior are even more critical. |
| 8.30am BST08:30 | 8.30am BST08:30 |
| Record numbers enter Hungary | Record numbers enter Hungary |
| A record number of migrants and refugees crossed into Hungary on Sunday according to official figures released on the eve of an expected border crackdown. | A record number of migrants and refugees crossed into Hungary on Sunday according to official figures released on the eve of an expected border crackdown. |
| Hungarian police recorded that 5,809 migrants were intercepted on Sunday the highest number since the crisis began. | Hungarian police recorded that 5,809 migrants were intercepted on Sunday the highest number since the crisis began. |
| The figure is almost twice the rate of last week, and a sharp increase on the previous record of 4,330. | The figure is almost twice the rate of last week, and a sharp increase on the previous record of 4,330. |
| The UN recorded more than a thousand people crossing into Hungary by 6am on Sunday. | The UN recorded more than a thousand people crossing into Hungary by 6am on Sunday. |
| Roszke, #Hungary: #UNHCR border monitor has counted 1257 people arriving since 6am this morning - majority #Syria pic.twitter.com/FDlvubQUgz | Roszke, #Hungary: #UNHCR border monitor has counted 1257 people arriving since 6am this morning - majority #Syria pic.twitter.com/FDlvubQUgz |
| Updated at 9.39am BST | Updated at 9.39am BST |
| 8.17am BST08:17 | 8.17am BST08:17 |
| This is the kind of scene that Cameron and his team must have been hoping for when planning his visit to Lebanon – Syrian refugee children chorusing “thank you” to the prime minister. | This is the kind of scene that Cameron and his team must have been hoping for when planning his visit to Lebanon – Syrian refugee children chorusing “thank you” to the prime minister. |
| PM thanked by Lebanese/Syrian refugee kids in Beirut primary school where DfiD money is helping country hosting 1.1m pic.twitter.com/on4oQGTDf3 | PM thanked by Lebanese/Syrian refugee kids in Beirut primary school where DfiD money is helping country hosting 1.1m pic.twitter.com/on4oQGTDf3 |
| Updated at 9.12am BST | Updated at 9.12am BST |
| 8.13am BST08:13 | 8.13am BST08:13 |
| Cameron’s office has given more details of a £100m package to help Syrian refugees as the prime minister visited a camp in Lebanon’s Bekaa valley. | Cameron’s office has given more details of a £100m package to help Syrian refugees as the prime minister visited a camp in Lebanon’s Bekaa valley. |
| Cameron said the package was aimed helping to prevent refugees making dangerous journey’s to Europe. | Cameron said the package was aimed helping to prevent refugees making dangerous journey’s to Europe. |
| He said: | He said: |
| As the second largest bilateral donor to the humanitarian crisis in Syria our aid effort is supporting thousands of people to rebuild their lives, providing protection, counselling and schooling, alongside the provision of basic food and water. Investment in health, education, jobs and stability is the most effective way to help people overseas, and it is clearly in Britain’s interests. | As the second largest bilateral donor to the humanitarian crisis in Syria our aid effort is supporting thousands of people to rebuild their lives, providing protection, counselling and schooling, alongside the provision of basic food and water. Investment in health, education, jobs and stability is the most effective way to help people overseas, and it is clearly in Britain’s interests. |
| Around 3% of the 11 million Syrians forced from their homes have sought asylum in Europe, and without British aid hundreds of thousands more could be risking their lives seeking to get to Europe, so these funds are part of our comprehensive approach to tackle migration from the region. | Around 3% of the 11 million Syrians forced from their homes have sought asylum in Europe, and without British aid hundreds of thousands more could be risking their lives seeking to get to Europe, so these funds are part of our comprehensive approach to tackle migration from the region. |
| For thousands of refugees this money means a meal for their families, the security of a home with basic sanitation and clean water, and for children it means an education so we don’t lose a generation to the Syrian conflict. | For thousands of refugees this money means a meal for their families, the security of a home with basic sanitation and clean water, and for children it means an education so we don’t lose a generation to the Syrian conflict. |
| Our goal remains to support the development of a secure, stable and peaceful Syria. Without our investment in international development, the numbers of people seeking to embark on a perilous journey to Europe would be far greater. | Our goal remains to support the development of a secure, stable and peaceful Syria. Without our investment in international development, the numbers of people seeking to embark on a perilous journey to Europe would be far greater. |
| The PM is visiting Lebanon today to see how #UKaid is helping vulnerable refugees from #Syria http://t.co/hWpJtFGHJF @ukinlebanon | The PM is visiting Lebanon today to see how #UKaid is helping vulnerable refugees from #Syria http://t.co/hWpJtFGHJF @ukinlebanon |
| Updated at 9.12am BST | Updated at 9.12am BST |
| 7.57am BST07:57 | 7.57am BST07:57 |
| Summary | Summary |
| Welcome to live coverage of the refugee crisis. | Welcome to live coverage of the refugee crisis. |
| EU interior ministers are gathering in Brussels for emergency talks on how to tackle the mounting refugee crisis a day after Germany temporarily reintroduced border controls. | EU interior ministers are gathering in Brussels for emergency talks on how to tackle the mounting refugee crisis a day after Germany temporarily reintroduced border controls. |
| Meanwhile, David Cameron is in Lebanon to visit refugee camps. | Meanwhile, David Cameron is in Lebanon to visit refugee camps. |
| Here’s a roundup of the latest developments: | Here’s a roundup of the latest developments: |
| Updated at 9.12am BST | Updated at 9.12am BST |