Migrants with no right to benefits receive food and lodging from Icelandic state

In Iceland, asylum seekers who do not qualify for any form of assistance will still have access to food and lodging under a new agreement with the government and the Red Cross. The state – and the tax payers will cover all costs.

A new agreement with the Icelandic government and the Red Cross aims to prevent asylum seekers from ending up on the streets. Those foreigners who are not entitled to assistance or have no place to stay will be provided with food and shelter, reports the Icelandic state channel RUV.

– We guarantee this through an agreement with the Red Cross, which includes providing people with minimum services – that is, shelter and food, says Guðmundur Ingi Guðbrandsson, Minister of Social Affairs and Employment.

Guðbrandsson says that local authorities are obliged by law to help people in need, but can refer them to the Red Cross. However, the costs will not be borne by the municipalities.

– These costs will only be paid by the state. We don’t want a society where people live on the streets, says Guðbrandsson.