The rapid increase in the number of irregular migrants arriving in Italy by crossing the Mediterranean in the recent period has led the right-wing coalition government, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, to take new steps.
Prime Minister Meloni, in a written statement after the cabinet meeting, said, “We have taken a state of emergency on immigration so that the management of migrant flows can respond more effectively and in a timely manner.” used the phrase.
In the written statement made by the Prime Ministry after the Council of Ministers, the data on the density of immigration flows to Italy and the overcrowding in the first reception centers were examined, as well as the return of those who do not meet the asylum conditions, both for the needs of the immigrant reception centers and due to the forecasts that the arrival of immigrants will increase further in the coming months. It was stated that the state of emergency was declared throughout the country in order to implement other emergency measures.
Euro resource for emergencies
It has been reported that the state of emergency for the management of irregular migration flows in the country will last for 6 months and a resource of 5 million euros has been allocated for emergencies.
The right-wing coalition government led by Meloni limited the activities of ships belonging to European-based non-governmental organizations that carry out rescue operations at sea, with another regulation issued as a decree law at the beginning of the year.
Meanwhile, the irregular migration flow to Italy via North Africa continues.
According to the information reflected in the Italian press, the Italian Coast Guard teams rescued approximately 2 thousand irregular migrants at sea in different operations on 7-11 April. It was also stated that the rescue operation for a fishing boat carrying 800 immigrants off the island of Sicily continues.
According to the data of the Ministry of Interior, the number of irregular migrants reaching Italy by crossing the Mediterranean between January 1 and April 11 was 31,292. In the same period last year, 7 thousand 928 irregular migrants came to Italy.