SW News: Thanks to the innovative Humanitarian Corridors project, which provides vulnerable people with a safe and legal transit as they leave violence, poverty, persecution, and injustice, a group of 152 Afghan refugees has safely arrived in Rome. The refugees, traveling from Pakistan’s capital Islamabad, were welcomed at Fiumicino Airport.

Their arrival in Rome coincides with one of the worst food crises in human history as well as growing Taliban-led restrictions on rights and freedoms in Afghanistan.

According to Sant'Egidio's Marco Impagliazzo, the project sets an example for the European Union on how to best address the migration crisis by welcoming and integrating those in need of humanitarian protection, through close cooperation between state and Church authorities and local non-governmental organizations. Impagliazzo was speaking at a press conference shortly after the arrival of the Afghan refugees in the Italian capital.

The initiative promoted by the Italian Episcopal Conference is cited as an example for Europe by the President of the Community of Sant'Egidio. The refugees will be sheltered and helped to become self-sufficient and integrated into Italian society.

Humanitarian corridors are the result of an ecumenical collaboration between Catholics and Protestants.

The project was inspired by the fact that on October 3, 2013, a boat transporting migrants and refugees capsized off the coast of Lampedusa, killing over 300 people. The humanitarian project provides shelter for over two years to thousands from Lebanon, who are mostly Syrians fleeing from war, Morocco, who comprise migrants from Sub-Saharan countries fleeing from civil wars and widespread violence, as well as people from Ethiopia, Eritreans, Somalia, and Sudan.

The project aims to prevent the death of refugees trying to cross the Mediterranean by boat, combat the deadly business of smugglers and human traffickers, and allow people in vulnerable conditions like victims of persecution, torture, and violence, families with children, single women, the elderly, sick, and disabled to enter Italy legally on a humanitarian visa with the possibility to subsequently apply for asylum.

The humanitarian action is for all people in vulnerable conditions, regardless of their religious or ethnic background. Pope Francis has welcomed the initiative and urged for a coordinated effort to provide support and safety for people who are displaced.