Yazidis are an ethnically Kurdish religious minority that haa been persecuted and massacred in Syria and Iraq by supporters of the so-called Islamic State (ISIS). The Yazidi religion combines aspects of Zoroastrianism, Islam, Christianity and Islam.

In a statement sent to Lusa, the City Council said the 30 refugees will join another 43 refugees from Eritrea, Ethiopia, Syria and the Central African Republic who are already living in the area as part of a Plan of Action called “Guimarães Welcomes”.

The 30 refugees are made up of eight families including nine women, eight men and 13 children.