Migrant crisis: Egyptian billionaire offers to buy island for refugees

Screen Shot 2015-09-03 at 17.45.47 — Egyptian billionaire considering buying island off Greece or Italy to help migrants. Getty Images

Egyptian billionaire Naguib Sawiris has offered his own solution to help solve the growing migrant crisis. Sawiris wants to buy a Mediterranean Island to allow refugees a temporary shelter until a long-term solution can be found.

Sawiris is considering approaching the governments of Greece and Italy to possibly buy an island to help migrants fleeing from conflict zones, like Syria.

Greece or Italy sell me an island,ill call its independence and host the migrants and provide jobs for them building their new country
— Naguib Sawiris (@NaguibSawiris) September 1, 2015

Crazy idea .. Maybe but at least temporary until they can return to their countries ??!!
— Naguib Sawiris (@NaguibSawiris) September 1, 2015

Speaking to AFP News, Sawiris said: "Of course it's feasible.

"You have dozens of islands which are deserted and could accommodate hundreds of thousands of refugees...[as] temporary shelters to house the people, then you start employing the people to build housing, schools, universities, hospitals.

THE LANGUAGE OF SUFFERING:
In the ongoing migration crisis, the words migrant, refugee and asylum seeker have been used interchangeably – so what are the differences?

"And if things improve, whoever wants to go back [to their homeland] goes back."

Sawiris insists migrants escaping trouble zones need to be treated as "human beings".

"The way they are being treated now, they are being treated like cattle," said Sawiris.

Social media users remained divided on Sawiris's offer.

Before offering to buy a Greek island @NaguibSawiris can start with helping the refugees in #Egypt. They are in very difficult conditions.
— Mostafa Hussein Omar (@moftasa) September 3, 2015