Giving a second thought to the Egyptian billionaire’s offer
IN THE NEWS
Source: Heartmenders Magazine
By Okechukwu Okugo
Now, it is really clear that many of the European countries are frustrated by the complex problems the refugee migrants are causing them, as a result of thousands upon thousands of people fleeing wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria; pouring into the Balkans and all through European countries, creating a burden of absorbing them, from Germany to Hungary, Italy, Serbia, Austria, etc.
This leading to a crisis, the Washington Post reported as, “What has been called the biggest migrant crisis in 70 years.”
With the call from the Foreign Minister of Austria on August 28, 2015, reported by New York Times, stating that, “Europe must wake up at long last and recognize that this is a serious problem.” It is clearer today that he is correct.
With the ABC News reporting on November 11, 2015, that there are “1 million refugees seeking asylum in Europe with more expected,” it seems the final solution to this crisis is not in sight; yet, more and more desperate refugees are risking their lives to escape their war-torn countries with the hope of better lives somewhere else in Europe.
These factors have necessitated that a second and closer look should be taken by the governments of Greece and Italy, two countries among the European nations ravaged by this crisis, about the Egyptian’s call for two or more desolated islands in their countries to be sold to him to enable him accept, relocate, and rehabilitate the refugees.
The 63-year-old Egyptian billionaire, Naguib Onsi Sawiris, concerned by this ravaging 21st century Exodus that had caused the death of many people on the sea, while desperately seeking to embark on a perilous journey, most of them children, decided to offer a practical help, spending his personal wealth to create a “new country” for the refugee migrants, and finally put a stop to the high-risk journeys they undergo to escape the war, seeking for better lives in different parts of Europe.
Inspired by the availability of uninhabited islands in Greece and Italy, as he made it known to Agence France Presse, in his statement:
“You have dozens of islands which are deserted and could accommodate hundreds of thousands of refugees.”
The Washington Post reported the 63-year-old billionaire had contacted the owners of two islands he wanted to buy, which is in the territory of Greece, and indicated his willingness to spend up to $200 million on this humanitarian project.
But it seems all that is now left for this deal to be sealed is the permission of the Greek’s government.
“We are seeking the Greek government consent to be willing to take care the administrative process of permitting entrance of refugees to the Island.” He had shared on Twitter; as well as disclosing the proposed new country’s name. He said the "new country" to be formed for these refugees would be called Aylan Island, named after the Syrian 3-year-old, Aylan Kurdi, whose body had washed ashore the Turkish beach when the boat conveying him and his family to Europe capsized at the sea.
According to Time Magazine, Sawiris had confirmed he had a very large support in this project, receiving over 10,000 emails from potential donors and volunteers.
Sawiris needs Greek’s attention now since this modern-day Exodus has created a crisis in Europe, and there's not yet a concrete solution they have in hand to contain it effectively.
Moreover, Sawiris seems to have the blueprint of what he wants to build already; and has the capability to do so, owing to the resources he had already mapped out for this project, and being confirmed to worth over $3billion.
Egyptian billionaire, Naguib Onsi Sawiris. Photo credit: MSNBC.com
Sawiris, a billionaire standing out in Africa, deserves commendation. When some of his counterparts are secretly financing ISIS, he is ready to spend his own wealth to offer help. With the sophistication and the amount of wealth ISIS have, it is glaring that they must be enjoying some sort of high powered sponsorship from both individuals and organizations that finance terrorist networks.
Also, at a time when most African governments would be solely dependent on foreign aids and loans from foreign countries, this exceptional African is ready to spend his own resources to offer help to the Europeans. This is humanitarian and a good example, and therefore should be supported.
When many African heads of state are stashing and hiding public funds in European banks, Sawiris is willing to spend his in a noble cause. And he is not proposing a kind of concentration camp where to dump the refugees, rather, he had noted in the Washington Post report that for the "new nation," the “main thing is investment in infrastructure.”
As such, he is seeking to build a place equipped with all modern living facilities and structures.
This project he had proposed would be providing many jobs and engaging the migrants through building their new homes and making available a decent housing for the refugees.
Sawiris should be given the opportunity to experiment his noble project, as the primary mission is to provide a place where refugees can live in safety and be allowed to live and work like everyone else in free countries; these deserted islands could accommodate hundreds of thousands of refugees.
Experts should be involved in helping Sawiris plan the implementation of this project while putting into considerations all the pros and cons. If the project is implemented well, it would heave off a heavy burden from Europe, as many of the refugees would be moved to their "new home," and they will now be afforded a new life as they keep busy engaging in meaningful work to develop and earn a decent living.
What is more, the dangerous journeys which are as a result of desperation in search of a better life in Europe would either stop or reduced to the barest minimum since there is now a sure alternative provided. Thousands of lives would be saved, particularly the lives of many women and children.
Inasmuch as this mission is humanitarian in nature, it is worthy to be given an affirmative nod, at least.
Remember, if the "new country" succeeds, it would mean an expanding economy for the government of Italy or Greece, depending on the territory the barren island is located, because there would surely be many ways the new home would be generating income to the parent government; and the Island being incorporated as an extended colony to the rest of the country.
And for the fate of the refugee residents when things improve in their war-torn countries, "Whoever wants to go back (to their homeland) goes back," Sawiris said, according to Forbes.com.
Trying out new things is better than not doing anything at all. After all, there is no error in doing everything positive for the sake of humanity.
Note that this article originally published in Heartmenders Magazine in 2015 has been re-edited and updated. Opening image credit: Washington Post.
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