President Tsai Ing-wen says Taiwan should help with global refugee issues. Tsai was speaking on Tuesday at a ceremony commemorating donations to a European refugee shelter for women and children.
The shelter was founded by two Taiwanese foundations to shelter refugees from Lampedusa, the largest island of the Italian Pelagie Islands in the Mediterranean. Since the early 2000s, the island has become a primary entry point for migrants to Europe, mainly from Africa The foundations donated a green building for the shelter which will open this fall.
President Tsai spoke on Taiwan’s role in the international community. Tsai said, "Freedom and human rights are the values the Taiwanese value the most. As we face the issue of refugees, Taiwan should not act as an outsider. Even though we are not a member of the United Nations, Taiwan’s desire to contribute is not less than any member nation."
Tsai said that the shelter will serve as a midway point for refugees fleeing their homes and adjusting to a new society. She said the donation is a symbol of Taiwan’s concern for global humanitarian and refugee issues. The shelter will also be a place where volunteers from Taiwan can offer their services.