The Heat discusses the migrant crisis

Refugee and Migrant Crisis

They keep on coming. Refugees from Syria flood largely into neighboring countries – while migrants from Africa risk their lives crossing the Mediterranean for an uncertain reception in Europe.

It’s two stories with a common theme. In Syria, the conflict, now in its fifth year has produced nearly four million refugees challenging neighboring countries to provide adequate housing and services for families struggling to stay together. And last year, nearly a quarter of a million migrants crossed the Mediterranean some from Syria, but most from Africa, in search of a new life. 3,500 didn’t make it. 1,600 have already died in 2015.

CCTV’s Natalie Carney provided an update.

The Heat discussed this issue with Khaled Hosseini. He is known internationally as the best-selling author of the “Kite Runner” and other novels. He currently serves as the Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

Many of the 170,000 migrants who illegally reached Europe by boat last year fled political upheaval in the Middle East and Africa. Others were in search of a better life. Greece, Italy, Cyprus, Malta and Spain served as the main points of entry adding to the economic challenges those countries already face.

The Heat continued its discussion with these experts.

  • Associate Law Professor Jorrit Rijpma. He’s an expert on European Migration Law at Leiden University.
  • Giovanni Legorano covers immigration and Italian financial services for the Wall Street Journal.
  • The spokesperson for the International Organization for Migration, Leonard Doyle.