UN: The number of irregular migrants arriving in Italy increased by 300 percent

A weekly press conference was held under the moderation of the spokesperson for the United Nations Office at Geneva, Alessandra Vellucci.

In his speech at the meeting, the spokesman for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Matthew Saltmarsh, stated that they are concerned about the situation of irregular migrants trying to cross the central Mediterranean and that the UN has brought this item on the agenda many times in his statements.

“Italy has declared a state of emergency (OHAL) for 6 months to manage the process in the recent growing migration crisis. How do you evaluate this decision? Will it contribute to the resolution of the crisis? Responding to the question, Saltmarsh said: “We welcome the allocation of additional funds to increase capacity and standards for the reception of large numbers of irregular migrants and refugees following the declaration of the State of Emergency in Italy. There has been a large increase in the number of irregular refugees arriving in Italy recently. There is a 300 percent increase compared to the same period of the previous year,” she said.

Noting that Italy must not be left alone in its fight against migration in the Mediterranean, Saltmarsh reiterated his calls for the establishment of new generation redistribution and evacuation centers for those arriving by sea.

Saltmarsh pointed out that countries struggling with the problem of migration in the Mediterranean must show solidarity.

Underlining that “saving lives” at sea is a long-standing maritime tradition, Saltmarsh said: “We will continue to reiterate that this is also a legal duty of states.”

Noting that the sinking of ships carrying irregular migrants in the Mediterranean is a tragic event, Saltmarsh underlined that there are large gaps in rescue capacity in the region and this urgently needs to be strengthened.

THE ESSENTIAL PROBLEM OF THE CENTRAL MEDITERRANEAN

In the irregular migratory flow to Europe, the Central Mediterranean route stands out as one of the routes where intense mobility has been observed in recent years.

On this route, European civil society organizations often rescue irregular migrants asking for help at sea, rather than European government officials. These NGOs have difficulties in evacuating the irregular migrants they rescue from time to time because the EU member states do not provide them with a ‘safe haven’.

The first place where immigrants who can cross the Mediterranean or are rescued on their own set foot in Europe is the island of Lampedusa, which is the closest land part of Italy to North Africa.

A large number of irregular immigrants die every year trying to cross the Mediterranean, due to the capsizing of the boat or the lack of air and water due to overcrowding in the boats.

According to data from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the number of immigrants arriving in Italy this year, which reached 3,000 irregular immigrants last weekend, amounted to 31,357. (AA)