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.
Related news and stories
First UNITY Cup shows the power of football to connect refugees and hosts
Scholarships in Italy allow refugees to dream again
Relief for asylum seekers offered a new life outside Libya
Evacuation flights from Libya to Italy bring hope for vulnerable asylum seekers
UNHCR and Council of Europe discuss statelessness, urge States to uphold the right to a nationality in Europe
UNHCR warns of mounting refugee and migrant deaths in the Central Mediterranean
Your search for « lampedusa » matched 340 results. Displaying page 13 of 38 pages.
-
UNHCR shocked at reported heavy loss of life in Mediterranean
31 Mar 2009 ... UNHCR Rome reported two boats have arrived in Italy this week - one carrying 244 people in Sicily; and another with 219 aboard in Lampedusa. Last year 36,000 people arrived in Italy by sea from North ...... -
UNHCR seeks better rescue mechanisms after Mediterranean drownings
10 May 2011 ... on the Italian island of Lampedusa on Saturday and Sunday. "All five boats needed rescuing by the Italian coastguard and maritime police, with one boat running aground close to the Lampedusa shore. ...... -
Update No.14 on the humanitarian situation in Libya and the neighbouring countries
29 Mar 2011 ... ... Arrivals to Lampedusa and Linosa: The total of new arrivals since mid-January increased to 19,615 ... Currently there are 5,640 people in reception facilities in Lampedusa, all of them Tunisian. The ...... -
Update No.27 on the humanitarian situation in Libya and the neighbouring countries
3 Jun 2011 ... ... It set sail on 28 May from Libyan capital Tripoli and headed for Lampedusa in Italy. UNHCR’s team ... Lampedusa L ampedusa L ampedusa L ampedusa L ampedusa L ampedusa L ampedusa Lampedusa L ampedusa L ...... -
Statement by Volker Türk, Director of International Protection to the Regional Conference on Asylum and Migration, 11-13 November 2013
13 Nov 2013 ... Recent boat tragedies off the Italian island of Lampedusa and the western coast of Myanmar have come to embody the grave risks that desperate refugees and migrants take when embarking on perilous sea ...... -
UNHCR shocked by reports of hundreds missing in Mediterranean
31 Mar 2009 ... UNHCR's office in Rome reported two boats have arrived in Italy this week - one carrying 244 people reached Sicily and another with 219 aboard made it to Lampedusa Island. Last year, more than 36,000 ...... -
Update No.7 on the humanitarian situation in Libya and the neighbouring countries
14 Mar 2011 ... ... Arrivals to Lampedusa: As of 12 March, two groups of 34 and 37 men arrived from Tunisia. With the ... UNHCR presence: Two staff remains in Lampedusa, one in Sicily. Additional staff will be recruited ...... -
Summary Record of the 587th meeting held at the Palais des Nations, Geneva, on Friday, 8 October 2004, at 10 a.m
14 Oct 2004 ... to comment on remarks made by certain delegations regarding recent events on the island of Lampedusa. Over 2,300 illegal immigrants had arrived on the island of Lampedusa during the past few days. ...... -
Update No.11 on the humanitarian situation in Libya and the neighbouring countries
18 Mar 2011 ... ... ITALY Arrivals to Lampedusa: The total number of new arrivals since mid-January increased to 11,285 ... TUNISIA GREECE ALGERIA EGYPT LIBYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA Lampedusa* 11,285 persons (As of: 16-Mar-11) ......