Pathways to solidarity: Over 10 years, Italy has enabled safety of 11,000 refugees

GENEVA — This year, Italy and UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, mark the tenth anniversary of a group of safe pathways through which 11,000 refugees from 24 countries have found safety and a new life in Italy.

At a time when forced displacement continues to rise globally, and many asylum seekers and migrants still undertake dangerous journeys, the initiative highlights how resettlement and similar programmes can offer a new start to vulnerable refugees.

“Over the past decade, Italy has demonstrated strong leadership in translating solidarity into action,” said Chiara Cardoletti, UNHCR Representative to Italy, the Holy See and San Marino. “Through resettlement, humanitarian corridors, emergency evacuations, and education and labour pathways, Italy has provided concrete alternatives to dangerous journeys and made a meaningful contribution to global responsibility-sharing. These initiatives offer a powerful example for Europe and beyond.”

Ten years ago, in October 2015, Italy welcomed the first flight from Lebanon, marking the start of the UNHCR supported resettlement program which has since then offered protection to 3,000 refugees from Lebanon, Türkiye, Jordan, Sudan, and other countries, providing a lifeline to individuals and families most at risk.

In 2016, a coalition of Italian faith- based organizations launched and financed a partnership, Humanitarian Corridors, to transfer vulnerable refugees hosted in Ethiopia, Lebanon, Pakistan, Türkiye, Libya, Niger and Iran to Italy. Through this, more than 6,000 people were welcomed – and the project was awarded UNHCR’s regional Nansen Refugee Award in 2019.

“Italy has facilitated these corridoors for ten years. This is proof that when refugees are given a chance through safe pathways, they can stand independently and strengthen the communities that welcome them.” said Filippo Rossi, Senior Operations Coordinator for UNHCR’s Regional Bureau for Europe.

Italy has also been at the forefront of life-saving emergency evacuations from Libya and Niger, providing safety to refugees in extremely difficult conditions. Around 1,500 refugees have accessed related reception and integration programmes in Italy thanks to the Government, UNHCR and partners. The latest humanitarian evacuation, on 11 December, saw 122 refugees mainly from Sudan, South Sudan and Eritrea arriving in Rome. Deng, a refugee from South Sudan who travelled to Italy with his family, spoke to UNHCR on the day of departure. “I feel so happy, because we’re going to a safe place. My brothers and sisters and I will be able to study, my parents will be able to find work, and we’ll live our lives in safety.”

Refugee access to higher education expanded in 2019 through the University Corridors for Refugees (UNICORE) initiative, developed with Italian universities, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and civil society organizations. Students mainly from Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Nigeria, Cameroon, India and Mozambique studied in Italy through scholarships offered by 45 Italian universities, contributing skills and knowledge to host communities.

Finally, in 2023 Italy became one of the first countries to develop a meaningful programme for refugee employment as part of its existing labour mobility system, promoting dignity, self-reliance and inclusion. With the authorities, UNHCR, employers, NGOs and training institutions, refugees are selected and trained in their countries of asylum before arriving in Italy through a work visa in professions that address labour market needs.

Implemented by Rome and UNHCR with partners from civil society, academia and the private sector, these initiatives demonstrate how shared commitments translate into practical solutions for people forced to flee, in line with the objectives of the Global Compact on Refugees.