The European Commission is concerned
about the increase in the number of migrants and refugees
arriving in Italy, a spokesperson for the EU executive said on
Thursday.
"The Commission is aware of the increase in arrivals in the
central Mediterranean and in Italy in particular and remains
very concerned," said the spokesperson.
"The Commission has been working with the Italian authorities to
help decongest the Lampedusa hotspot, in particular by providing
emergency assistance to enable the transfer by air of vulnerable
migrants from the island to other locations on Italian
territory," she added.
"The Commission is aware of the pressure on the reception system
in Italy, has supported it in addressing the challenges of
migration and is ready to do so again," said the spokesperson.
Italy has seen a significant increase in the number of migrants
and refugees arriving by sea on its southern shores since the
start of the year, putting the reception system under strain.
Some 105,909 people have arrived by sea so far in 2023,
according to interior ministry figures updated to August 23.
This compares to 51,328 in the same period last year and to
36,479 in 2021.
"The EU agencies Frontex, the European Asylum Agency (EUAA) and
Europol have 450 people deployed in Italy," the European
Commission spokesperson continued.
"As regards the reception of asylum seekers and refugees, the
Commission's reference is the Reception Conditions Directive"
laying down minimum standards for the reception of asylum
seekers under national law.
"The EUAA supports the Italian authorities in the field of
asylum procedures and reception" including through "the direct
deployment of experts to support the interior ministry and the
Prefectures", the spokesperson said.
"In addition, (Home Affairs) Commissioner (Ylva) Johansson
offered further support to the Italian authorities in July when
she visited Lampedusa together with Interior Minister Matteo
Piantedosi," she continued.
This, said the spokesperson, has already led to "tangible
results".
"With more than 14 million euros of EU funding, a new project is
now helping the Italian authorities to ensure adequate reception
conditions during emergencies and the safe transfer of migrants
who land on Lampedusa to other reception centres in Italy," she
said.
"The Commission stands ready to provide further assistance to
Italy. Additional emergency funding can also be used for
projects in member states under severe pressure (from
migration). These funds can be made available quickly and
flexibly in the event of an emergency," concluded the
spokesperson.
Also on Thursday, a local Trieste NGO said the unfolding
"humanitarian disaster" in the northeastern port city in
relation to the arrival and reception of migrants and refugees
travelling to Italy along the overland Balkan route from Greece
has been "deliberately fabricated.
"In Trieste, the terminus of the so-called Balkan route, a
humanitarian disaster is unfolding that has been deliberately
fabricated, with a level of public irresponsibility that I have
never seen in my life," said Gianfranco Schiavone of the
Consorzio Italiano di Solidarietà (ICS).
Schiavone said that since the end of May, no arrivals have been
transferred from the northeastern border city to reception
centres in other parts of the country, putting the local
facilities under strain
"There are 500 abandoned people, with an increase in (the number
of) unaccompanied minors, families, vulnerable cases and the
sick", he added.
Many of the people arriving in Italy via its northeastern border
with Slovenia are fleeing war and persecution, and they have
often also suffered abuse and maltreatment in transit countries
along the route.
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