Delamont Plays Host to Darfur Asylum Seekers and Refugees

On Saturday 12 September, Delamont Country Park welcomed a number of families within the Association of Darfur in NI.  The group, which consists of 60 young asylum seekers and refugees from the Soudan area in Darfur, were given the opportunity to become involved in outdoor activity and a barbeque. 

This event was organised by Belfast City Council and supported by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council. Most of the group have been living in hostels throughout Belfast for the last 18 months and this event is one of many organised by Belfast City Council to help break the isolation of the members. Having lived in cities/towns most of their life the visit to Delamont was a chance for the group to experience the pleasantries of the countryside and life outside of a town. 

Newry Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Naomi Bailie, who attended the visit said, “Currently there's massive international attention on the plight of many thousands of refugees fleeing their homes to find refuge in Europe. To welcome these visitors into Newry Mourne and Down at this time is therefore quite fitting and reminds us of the life changing impact that we here can offer to those poor and destitute people currently leaving their own countries due to war and or persecution. People from right across our district have been so energised in assisting the refugee aid collection and I have no doubt that they will also extend

very warm welcomes to these people when in our region.”

Cllr Bailie concluded by saying, “It's a wonderful occasion to welcome the visitors to Delemont Country Park, one of the jewels in our well embellished crown in Newry Mourne and Down. I hope they thoroughly enjoy their time here in our district taking in all the natural beauty that surrounds us in this part of Ireland."