A convention has been established between Agrigento prefect Filippo Romano and Enzo Vita, the president of the Italian Red Cross (CRI) provincial committee, for the management of a new migrant hotspot in Porto Empedocle on the Italian island of Sicily.

This six-month agreement tasks CRI with overseeing migrant reception services, providing assistance and integration support. The responsibilities include initial reception, healthcare and social services, as well as orientation and inclusion, along with linguistic and cultural training.

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Aim is 'adequate and inclusive reception'

Prefect Romano expressed confidence in the collaboration, stating, "The Italian Red Cross is a consolidated reality with vast experience in the migrant reception and integration sector. I am certain that the collaboration with CRI will be fundamental to ensure adequate and inclusive reception for migrants arriving in our territory."

Angelo Vita, vice president of the provincial committee of the Italian Red Cross, expressed honor in participating in the management of the new Porto Empedocle hotspot. Project coordinator Simona Fiorino added, "I am pleased to contribute to this project, believing it is crucial to ensure proper and inclusive migrant reception."

90 migrants transferred from Lampedusa to Porto Empedocle

Ninety migrants, previously housed in the Lampedusa hotspot, were transferred on Friday morning (January 19) to Porto Empedocle following orders from the Agrigento prefect's office. The group, consisting of 35 Tunisian and Algerian nationals, had arrived on the evening of January 18 after being rescued by a coast guard vessel. The group, which had departed from Teboulba in Tunisia with an eight-metre-long boat, included two women and two minors.

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