On October 23, 20 people arrived in Rome from Cyprus through humanitarian corridors established by the Comunità di Sant'Egidio, in collaboration with the Italian interior and foreign ministries. In a separate initiative, 11 Afghan nationals also recently arrived in Rome from Pakistan through similar humanitarian corridors.

These people, who fled conflict in Afghanistan and other war-torn African countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon, and Somalia, had spent extended periods at the Pournara refugee camp near Nicosia, the capital of Cyprus, according to a press release by the Comunità di Sant'Egidio.

Personalized paths and refugee integration

The Pournara refugee camp was visited by Pope Francis during his trip to Cyprus in December 2021. For two consecutive summers, more than 200 young people from the Comunità di Sant'Egidio, hailing from various European countries, spent their holidays at this camp. They organized a 'Friendship Restaurant' and offered Italian and English language courses for adults and young people, along with educational and recreational activities for the many children at the camp.

The refugees, including individuals and families, one of which includes a five-year-old child and a nine-month-old infant, were welcomed at Rome's Fiumicino airport on October 23. They will be hosted in the Lazio, Marche, and Sicily regions and will receive immediate assistance with integration, including learning the Italian language and entering the labor market after being granted refugee status.

Also read: Italy: 1,200 Afghans to arrive with humanitarian corridors

Afghan nationals previously arrived from Pakistan

Before the arrival of refugees from Cyprus, 11 Afghan nationals had made their way to Rome from Islamabad. These families, which included minors and elderly individuals, had been refugees in Pakistan since August 2021 and spent over two years in precarious living conditions in an unofficial refugee camp in the center of the Pakistani capital.

Following the fall of Kabul and an initial large-scale mobilization, many Afghans sought refuge in neighboring countries while awaiting resettlement.

In total, the humanitarian corridor system, funded independently and executed through an extensive network, has brought over 6,500 refugees to Europe, with more than 5,600 finding refuge in Italy.