The alarming Refugee crisis that has spilled all over Europe over the past few months is so overwhelming that is threatening to destabilize the entire region. Over 4 million refugees had fled their countries since 2011, making it the worst humanitarian crisis since World War II.
As the world struggles to find a solution to the crisis, An Egyptian billionaire is offering to buy an island for people fleeing to Europe from war-torn countries in the Middle East and Africa, reported CNN.
Naguib Sawiris, the chief executive of telecom group Orascom TMT and one of the region’s wealthiest men, tweeted the following on September first:
Greece or Italy sell me an island,ill call its independence and host the migrants and provide jobs for them building their new country
— Naguib Sawiris (@NaguibSawiris) September 1, 2015
Sawiris said “there is no limit” on what he is willing to spend to buy an island from Italy or Greece — where thousands have been arriving — to provide the refugees with a new home, the report says.
“I am serious with my intentions, I want to feel good about having done something good, provide me with the island and I will do the rest,” Sawiris said told CNN during an interview Friday.
This kind-hearted man was inspired by the death of Aylan Kurdi, the three-year-old boy who drowned off the coast of Turkey with his mother and brother.
A picture of the boy’s body washed up on shore made media headlines and revealed the severity of this refugee crisis to the world. He intends to name the island ‘Hope.’
“There is no limit” on what I’m willing to spend to buy an island from Italy or Greece to provide the refugees with a new home,” he said.
“It’s a very simple solution,” he said. “They sell the island to me and I’ll make a temporary shelter for these people. I’ll make a small port or marina for the boats to land there. I’ll employ the people to build their own homes, their schools, a hospital, a university, a hotel,” he added.
“People would be free to return home at any time or stay on the island,” he concluded.
The CNN video report below has more on this story:
Greek and Italian officials were not available to comment on the proposal.
Could it be the solution to this devastating crisis? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.
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