Rabat – The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has expressed its gratitude to King Mohammed VI for giving his high instructions for the immediate attention to the situation of a group of 13 Syrian families who have been in trapped on the Moroccan Algerian border.
The UNHCR is “very grateful” for the King’s initiative towards the Syrian refugees at the Algerian-Moroccan border,” said UNHCR representative in Morocco, Jean Paul Cavaliéri.
In a statement to Medi 1 TV, Cavalieri also said that “While aware of the sensitivity of this situation, we are very grateful that Morocco is the country that allowed this exit from crisis.”
Last Thursday, King Mohammed VI issued his instruction to the authorities at the Moroccan Algerian borders to immediately allow the Syrian families entry into Morocco.
Morocco had previously protested Algeria’s accusations of it had deported Syrian families to its border.
Several Syrian families have already managed to enter the Moroccan border town of Figuig, where they have received the necessary assistance. lgerian authorities refused to take charge of the Syrian families by granting them refugee status as stipulated in the Geneva Convention.
In late May, the UNHRC issued a press release calling for urgent action to help Syrian refugees trapped on the border between Morocco and Algeria.
“Prompt action by both governments, is needed in facilitating the immediate and safe passage of the forty-one vulnerable Syrian refugees, among them children, babies and women – including at least one pregnant woman reportedly in need of urgent Caesarean section,” said the UNHRC.
