As thousands of refugees pour into Europe from the Middle East, governments are scrambling to respond. That's the topic for this week when the German American Heritage Center in Davenport hosts a program on "The Syrian Refugee Crisis in Germany and the US."
One of the guest speakers will be Herbert Quelle, German consul for the midwest based in Chicago. He says refugees adding up to nearly one per cent of the population have crowded into his country just this year.
Quelle says one cause is the UN's refugee agency has run low on money, and had to reduce the amount food and other aid distributed to crowded camps in Turkey and Jordan.
He also thinks the EU should help Italy and Greece, where many refugees first land, to increase their ability to accept and register newcomers, so their movement becomes more orderly and predictable.
Quelle, and Amy Rowell director of World Relief in Moline, will speak Thursday at noon, at Modern Woodmen Park. Seating is limited and reservations are required.
