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 10 of 38 pages.
-
Update No.10 on the humanitarian situation in Libya and the neighbouring countries
17 Mar 2011 ... ... ITALY Arrivals to Lampedusa: A total of 109 Tunisians arrived in Lampedusa on 16 March, bringing the total number of arrivals since mid-January to 10,575. Currently 2,819 persons are hosted in two ...... -
Update No.17 on the humanitarian situation in Libya and the neighbouring countries
7 Apr 2011 ... ... 14 miles off Lampedusa on 6 April. According to survivors, the group, including Somalis, Eritreans and Ivorians, departed Libya three days ago in an attempt to reach the Italian island of Lampedusa. ...... -
Boat carrying 600 sinks off Tripoli, five boats rescued by Italian coastguard
10 May 2011 ... arrivals across the Mediterranean: Five boats arrived on Lampedusa, carrying close to 2,400 people. ... Italian coastguard and maritime police, with one boat running aground close to the Lampedusa shore. ...... -
UNHCR dismayed at rising deaths from boat accidents in Mediterranean
13 May 2014 ... Yesterday, at least 17 people drowned after a boat sank in international waters, some 160 km south of Lampedusa, Italy and around 80 km north-west of Tripoli, Libya. The dead include 12 women, three ...... -
UNHCR - New Mediterranean boat tragedy may be biggest ever, urgent action is needed now
19 Apr 2015 ... It follows an incident only last week in which 400 lives were lost. The Lampedusa disaster of ... before midnight on Saturday, in Libyan waters, some 180 kilometers south of Italy's Lampedusa. ...... -
Mediterranean Drownings: The High Commissioner's Comments
15 Apr 2015 ... for urgent action to prevent such tragedies in the future. The latest incident involves the capsizing of a double-deck boat on Monday in waters about 120 kilometers south of Italy's Lampedusa Island.... -
Italy: Missing boat search efforts stepped up
25 May 2007 ... The Italian Navy has committed an Atlantic aircraft to the search, as well as seven Coast Guard patrol boats which left the southerly island of Lampedusa and southern Sicily on Thursday. The ...... -
EU Relocation Programme starts: 19 asylum-seekers leave Italy to Sweden
9 Oct 2015 ... They had arrived by boat in Sicily over the last few weeks and were all screened in the Lampedusa reception centre, where they agreed to be relocated to Sweden. The departure of the group officially ...... -
Update No.9 on the humanitarian situation in Libya and the neighbouring countries
16 Mar 2011 ... ... ITALY Arrivals to Lampedusa: On 14-15 March, 1,837 persons mainly Tunisian men (12 Tunisian women, one with child) and 3 Algerian arrived through 24 landings to Lampedusa. Total arrivals to Lampedusa ......