Swedish News:

Sweden calls for joint efforts in migrant crisis 

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  Sweden has had a difficult time helping an unprecedented number of refugee immigrants, but now the EU is discussing international cooperation and measures to prevent trafficking and humanitarian policies.

• It is well known that Sweden, while it's been accepting migrants by the tens of thousands, "has been virtually alone" in pushing for more humanitarian action toward migrants throughout Europe. Following additional pleas and a joint call for action by Germany, France and Britain, the European Union has announced an unprecedented meeting to be held in Brussels on September 14 to discuss international cooperation, measures to prevent trafficking and how to outline a return policy. After many struggles and tragedies, this surge of concern comes after a Syrian emigrant toddler's body washed up on a beach in Turkey, symbolizing the gravity of the crisis. "The situation of migration phenomena outside and inside the European Union has recently taken unprecedented proportions,” an EU spokesperson said. Swedish justice and migration minister Morgan Johansson welcomes the meeting and called for joint efforts to tackle the migrant crisis. The number of migrants reaching borders of countries in and out of the EU reached nearly 340,000 during the first seven months of 2015, up from 123,500 during the same period in 2014, according to border agency Frontex. That number doesn’t include the thousands of (known) migrants who died in pursuit of a better future.

• Welcoming refugees
  As another wave of immigrants makes its way to Scandinavian destinations, weary men, women and children have been receiving a "Refugees Welcome" at Stockholm’s central station. On September 8 they were met by some 100 volunteers who distributed food, drink and clothing, and offered help with language interpretation. They were greeted by signs written by adults and children in "every language we know" and had bags full of drawing pads, pencils, toys and stuffed animals for kids. "These people are just like us and they need to be met by people with sense and solidarity," said a Swedish resident. Many migrants went directly to shuttle buses when they stepped off the train, but a portion went to the volunteer table which was set up with cartons of fruit and coffee, and large bins of outerwear, children's wear, pants and blankets.

• The U.S. will try to help
  As the refugee crisis in Europe continues, the U.S. is promising help. Geography clearly separates the United States from the source of migration in volatile regions in the Middle East and North Africa; northern Europe is simply a more obvious destination for these people fleeing war, persecution and poverty. But the U.S. National Security Council said Monday, Sept. 8 that the U.S. was "actively considering" steps to help alleviate the situation in Scandinavia and Europe, where more than 340,000 people have sought refuge this year alone. "The White House will consider steps we can take to help the countries carry this burden," said White House spokesman Josh Earnest, according to Reuters.