Homes for 20 Syrian children have been found in Ireland

A network of Irish families have been identified in Ireland to provide immediate homes for up to 20 children affected by the crisis in Syria.

The families, all approved as hosts in line with the Hague convention, are working with the International Orphan Aid Ireland (IOAI), to accommodate orphans and unaccompanied minors.

It is estimated up to one million children have lost one or both parents through the conflict.

Kathy Monaghan is the Director of IOAI, who attended a briefing at the Red Cross HQ in Athens earlier, she has said it is not clear how long the process could take.

“We don’t know anything at the moment… We are really on a fact finding mission this trip,” Ms Monaghan said.

“The local authorities here deal with any of the children that are unaccompanied or orphaned.

“It is a matter of us finding the facts and finding out where these children are based and who is looking after them at the moment.”