Italy to take in over 100 refugees from Ethiopia

A total 114 refugees including women and children will arrive in Italy from Ethiopia on 27 February under an accord between the Italian government, the Conference of Italian Bishops (CEI) and the Catholic Community of Saint Egidio charity.

"A total of 11,000 people are currently living in one camp," said Oliviero Forti, who heads the migration policy and international protection office of CEI's charitable arm, Caritas.

"We decided to select the most vulnerable, who are the refugees arriving in Italy."

"They include many men, women and children, who will be welcomed by various dioceses," Forti said.

Under the agreement, a total of 500 refugees will be flown to a new life in Italy over a period of two years.