UNHCR calls for action to alleviate humanitarian situation on Lampedusa
This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson Adrian Edwards – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today's press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
UNHCR is calling for urgent action by the Italian authorities to alleviate overcrowding on the island of Lampedusa. The humanitarian situation for the 5,000 mostly Tunisian migrants on this remote Italian island is deteriorating.
With the ratio of migrants to local population now one-to-one, the congestion is raising tensions within the local population and among the migrants. The local population is experiencing the present situation with understandable nervousness. We urge the Italian authorities to increase the number of transfers from the island to the mainland to relieve congestion on Lampedusa, and to allow the reception center there to function normally.
The local reception centre, designed to accommodate 850 people, at present hosts some 2,000. Another 3,000 people are forced to sleep in the rough close to the centre and on the docks. Despite valiant efforts of the local humanitarian workers, many people are unable to find shelter from rain and cold weather. Hygiene conditions are dire.
The vast majority of migrants on Lampedusa have departed from Tunisia driven by economic hardship. Only a few express the intention to seek international protection. Most are looking for employment opportunities.
Considering the fast pace of events unfolding in northern Africa, UNHCR urges EU solidarity with Italy as it faces this new challenge. It is crucial that the situation on Lampedusa not impede Italian preparedness for arrivals of persons fleeing the situation in Libya, as such persons would be likely to have international protection needs. In this context, UNHCR trusts that any mechanisms designed to control irregular migration will ensure access to the territory for people in need of protection.
More than 15,000 Tunisian migrants have arrived on Lampedusa since mid-January. Around two-thirds have meanwhile been transferred to other locations in Italy.
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UNHCR Global Strategy Beyond Detention: Progress Report mid-2016
18 Aug 2016 ... Cover Photo: A detention centre for refugees and migrants on Italy’s Lampedusa Island. This centre was closed end of July 2007, and replaced with a new one opened in August. © UNHCR / G. Kotschy / ...... -
UNHCR Global Strategy Beyond Detention: Baseline Report
18 Aug 2016 ... Cover Photo: A detention centre for refugees and migrants on Italy’s Lampedusa Island. This centre ... Lampedusa, Italy .© UNHCR / F. Malavolta / April 2015 34 GLOBAL STRATEGY – Beyond Detention ...... -
UNHCR's Recommendations to Italy for its EU Presidency, July-December 2014
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15 Apr 2015 ... waters about 120 kilometres south of Lampedusa. 142 people have been rescued and 8 bodies recovered. ... established by Italy following the Lampedusa disasters of October 2013 in which hundreds ...... -
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1 Dec 2006 ... immigrants landing on the Ital- ian island of Lampedusa, on Malta and on Spain’s Canary Islands. ... to provide a framework for monitoring and assisting the large numbers of arrivals in Lampedusa. ...... -
Update No.8 on the humanitarian situation in Libya and the neighbouring countries
15 Mar 2011 ... ... Some 2,500 Somalis are currently in transit through Sudan to Somalia. ITALY Arrivals to Lampedusa: Since mid-January 2011, 8,811 persons have arrived from Tunisia to Lampedusa. There are currently ......