Some 2,000 unaccompanied migrants and refugees under the age of 18 arrived upon the shores of Italy over the weekend, pushing the number of foreign children who have arrived to Italy without their parents to nearly 12,200 since the start of 2023.

This figure marks a drastic increase from past years, the country's ombudsman for children and adolescents said.

'Number of unaccompanied minors who reached Italy by sea as of mid-August same as in all of 2021'

"In mid-August, the number of unaccompanied minors who had arrived by sea was the same reported in all of 2021," said Italy's ombudsman for children and adolescents, Carla Garlatti.

Garlatti stressed that the surge in arrivals shouldn't distract from the fact that minors traveling without family members often reach the country after harrowing journeys.

"They have the right to be welcomed and, for this reason, municipalities must be helped in the best way possible," she said.

The ombudsman said the government is activating 15 centers through the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund to assist unaccompanied foreign minors.

Hotspots overcrowded following spike in arrivals

The uptick in arrivals registered over the past few weeks has led to initiatives aimed at decongesting overcrowded hotspots.

The head of Villa Sikania, an overcrowded center for minors near the Sicilian city of Agrigento, has asked the local prefecture to place as many underage migrants and refugees in other centers so guests don't exceed its capacity of 150 beds.

Other centers are asking local prefectures for help with accomodation.