Eastwood calls on Executive to respond to refugee crisis

The Stormont Executive has been called to meet to respond to the ongoing refugee crisis..

The call comes from SDLP Foyle MLA Colum Eastwood who said there could be no more exceptional circumstances than the humanitarian crisis threatening the lives of those fleeing persecution.

Mr Eastwood, who attended a rally held in Guildhall Square late yesterday afternoon to launch the local campaign of Trocaire’s emergency fundraising campaign.

Mr Eastwood said: “The humanitarian crisis unfolding across the shores of Europe is an enormous human tragedy and now poses one of the most acute challenges that we have faced since the formation of the European Union.

“We have watched as women, children and others risk their lives, and the lives of their family, fleeing oppression. We cannot continue to watch, paralysed by inaction.

“The intervention of successive Western Governments in the Middle East has contributed to the tragic circumstances now faced by millions of innocents.

“The outpouring of aid offered by the public is heartening but it must be matched by government action. I’m calling on the Executive to meet and respond to this crisis, which surely must put our own difficulties into perspective.

“I understand that the First Minister has said that he will ensure that the Executive will not meet unless he deems the circumstances exceptional.

“There can be no more exceptional circumstances than the widespread human tragedy and loss of life that we’re witnessing.”

Mr Eastwood concluded: “The Executive must live up to the generosity expressed by people here and respond to this crisis as a matter of urgency.”