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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Update No.24 on the humanitarian situation in Libya and the neighbouring countries
10 May 2011 ... ... Five boats arrived last weekend on Lampedusa, carrying close to 2,400 people. Most are sub-Saharan ... Italian coastguard and maritime police, with one boat running aground close to the Lampedusa shore. ...... -
Update No.26 on the humanitarian situation in Libya and the neighbouring countries
27 May 2011 ... ... there remain 986 people in the reception center in Lampedusa and there are reports that tensions in the reception center are rising due to the prolonged detention of Tunisian migrants in Lampedusa. ...... -
UNHCR - Statement on boat incident off Greece coast
21 Jan 2014 ... More than 360 people died on October 3rd 2013 in a capsizing off of Italy's Lampedusa. Several other deadly incidents were reported over the following weeks. Irregular boat crossings of the ...... -
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10 Dec 2014 ... He fled the war at home with his brother and paid US$ 2,000 to board an overcrowded boat to Italy. But the vessel capsized just off the island of Lampedusa, one of two shipwrecks last October in which ...... -
Update No.21 on the humanitarian situation in Libya and the neighbouring countries
26 Apr 2011 ... ... facilities throughout Italy, only 18 Tunisians and 9 non-Tunisians currently remain at Lampedusa. ... Lampedusa L ampedusa L ampedusa L ampedusa L ampedusa L ampedusa L ampedusa Lampedusa L ampedusa L ...... -
UNHCR Global Appeal 2007 - Western Europe Regional Overview
1 Dec 2006 ... Boatloads continued to arrive in Italy (most notably in Lampedusa), Malta and Greece. Given the ... European shores, like this group intercepted by the Italian Coast Guard off the coast of Lampedusa. ...... -
UNHCR Global Report 2006 - Europe Overview
1 Jun 2007 ... ... arriving by sea on the Italian island of Lampedusa, Malta and the Canary Islands, among whom was ... approaches as done on the Italian island of Lampedusa, support for strengthening of reception ...... -
Year of return and partnerships, but challenges remain, says Lubbers
8 Oct 2004 ... The issue is currently in the spotlight with the deportation of new arrivals on Italy's Lampedusa island to Libya. "Finally, we have access to Lampedusa but let's be honest: it's a bit too late," said ...... -
Update No.18 on the humanitarian situation in Libya and the neighbouring countries
12 Apr 2011 ... ... The remaining number of people currently remaining in Lampedusa is 1,568, mainly Tunisians. ... C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C Lampedusa L ......