The foundation Migrantes set up by the Italian Bishops Conference (CEI) has called on European countries to open 'legal pathways of migration' to prevent human trafficking and 'deaths both at sea and on land.'
A group of 95 refugees arrived in Berlin from Lebanon this week as part of the German state's refugee reception program. They flew into the capital on Wednesday.
Pope Francis arrives today on the divided island of Cyprus for a two-day visit before continuing to Greece. The possibility that the pope could bring a group of refugees back to Italy from Cyprus is an "option being studied", according to the Vatican Press Office.
Uzbekistan has told Foreign Minister Heiko Maas it is willing to help transport more Afghans to Germany. Maas has also urged China and Russia to join talks.
A careful balancing act: German aid organizations worry about their local staff in Afghanistan but also want to continue to operate under the Taliban.
From Milan to Rome, various Italian mayors of all political stripes have shown their willingness to welcome refugees fleeing Afghanistan, in particular those who collaborated with Italy.
The Pakistani ambassador to Italy, Jauhar Saleem, said his country does not intend to become a colossal refugee camp for Afghans fleeing the Taliban, given that the country already hosts millions of them. He said at the moment there is not a wave of refugees at the border.
Following the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan, Germany's federal states say they are ready to receive numerous refugees and have called on the German interior minister to initiate a nation-wide program for the admission of Afghans seeking protection.
States have called on Interior Minister Seehofer to start a new Afghan refugee program for people who helped German forces on site. One coordinator told DW he had been lobbying Angela Merkel to get people out for months.
As the Taliban swept into Kabul, Germany scrambled to evacuate its citizens. But Afghans who had long worked for its forces had to wait for a call to safety, then brave the dangerous route to the airport. DW reports.
The UN has cast doubt on claims that the Taliban have become less intolerant over the past 20 years. Military aircraft continue to transport people from Kabul airport.
Germany's capital Berlin has announced it wants to welcome 500 vulnerable people over the next five years, mainly Syrians and Iraqis. The people in question have sought refuge in Lebanon.