The Italian government has declared a state of emergency in response to a dramatic increase in migrants arriving via the Mediterranean Sea.
The decision allows for improved management of migrant arrivals and repatriation facilities, with an initial funding of €5 million ($5.45 million) allocated for the first six months. Civil Protection Minister Nello Musumeci emphasized that the European Union’s responsible intervention is crucial for a long-term solution.
Since Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing government took office in October, they have pledged to address the challenge of mass immigration. However, approximately 31,300 migrants arrived in Italy in 2023, a significant increase from the roughly 7,900 who arrived in the same period the previous year. The state of emergency will enable the government to expedite repatriation processes for those not allowed to stay in Italy, bolstering identification procedures and expulsion orders.
In recent days, the Italian coastguard led rescue operations for two boats carrying around 1,200 people, with charity organizations also participating in efforts to save lives at sea. Following a deadly shipwreck off the southern Italian region of Calabria in late February, Meloni urged the European Union to take more decisive action to halt illegal immigration and increased jail terms for human smugglers.
Roberto Occhiuto, Calabria’s governor, supported the state of emergency declaration, stating that the interior ministry and other institutions must have special powers to handle and manage the complex phenomenon straining some southern regions.
