[Benjamin Meir]

Neridian refugees pour into St. Andre by the thousands

Collapse of Neridian Principality causes thousands to flee, request refugee status in St. Andre.

Port St. Andre, MSR of St. Andre - Asylum-seekers are flooding into St. Andre's ports in record numbers, with more than 125,000 asylum-seekers submitting applications to the Department of State over the last two days. 45,000 have already set foot in St. Andre and have been temporarily detained at a immigration facility in St. Andre.

The Imperial Government of Shireroth has moved to dismantle and dissolve the new Imperial State of Neridia, created under Kaiser Redquill I and placed under the leadership of the then-Count of Ransenar, Janus Eadric. Since its founding, the new State struggled to get established and settled as central authority in the Neridian capital of Redquill and other settlements were constantly challenged by the realities on the ground (conflicts with original residents) and sea (attacks by sea pirates and buccaneers).

Overwhelmed State Department officials are now moving to house the refugees, some arriving alone and others arriving with their entire family. "It's been very difficult to process this deluge of applications and then house the new refugees. It has been a tough ordeal, but we must do what we can to honor our Neridian brothers," said State Department spokesperson Jean Hertyford.

Concerned citizens, working with local government officials, have launched an organization in response to the deluge of refugees called Refugees Welcome, to help asylum seekers learn the languages and customs of St. Andre and matching them with people willing to share their homes with them. They have more than 15,000 applications in the works.

Amidst the overwhelming requests for refugee status, the Prince of Neridia himself submitted a letter requesting that asylum and protection be granted to the Neridian refugees wishing to leave Neridia and move to St. Andre. In his letter, the Prince estimates that the Neridian Company has up to 200,000 refugees that have signed up to leave Istvanistan and come to St. Andre.