The Italian government has declared a state of emergency for the entire country because of “a sharp rise” in the number of migrants arriving via the Mediterranean, international news agencies report. With the state of emergency, reception should run more smoothly and people who are not allowed to stay in Italy will be sent back to their home country more quickly.
The government has initially earmarked five million euros for emergency measures, such as setting up new reception centers for refugees in the south of the country.
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More than 31,000 migrants have arrived in Italy so far this year, up from about 8,000 in the same period last year, according to the Interior Ministry, while Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s new government had pledged to end mass immigration. Just the last three days some 3,000 migrants landed in Italy, of whom about 2,000 on the island of Lampedusa.
Minister Nello Musucemi of Civil Protection and Maritime Affairs speaks of an “absolute emergency” in a press statement. He emphasizes that while the state of emergency facilitates procedures, it is not a definitive solution. “Let it be clear that this will not solve the problem and that responsible action is required from the European Union.”
Italy has been urging other EU member states to take in migrants for some time, but discussions on this have been difficult. The state of emergency will last six months.