Australia to accept 12,000 refugees from Iraq, Syria

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Prime Minister Tony Abbott has announced that Australia will accept 12,000 Iraqi and Syrian refugees and the Australian government will be charged with assisting new arrivals, the Sky news agency reports.

Abbott told the press Wednesday that Australia is playing an active role in the coalition of nations fighting the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria and is also involved in support for the migrants crisis. 

"Australia is ready to accommodate and confirm [asylum for] 12,000 Iraqi and Syrian refugees who have fled war and violence,” Abbott was quoted as saying to Sky news. 

Abott added that the Australian government supports Germany’s plan of distributing refugees equally over European countries.

Abbott has stressed that Australia has a role in dealing with the humanitarian crisis that has seen the largest number of displaced people since the Second World War, according to Sky.

The government will reportedly spend $44 million to supply 240,000 refugees with cash, food, water and blankets in Lebanon, Turkey and Jordan.


The 12,000 Syrian and Iraqi refugees will be in addition to Australia’s existing humanitarian intake of 13,750, The Guardian news agency reported.
 
The prime minister also announced that Australia's strikes against the Islamic State organization positions, which already take place in Iraq, might extend to Syria in the near future.