A state of emergency over migrants has been extended for an additional six months "as a consequence of the exceptional rise in flows of migrants entering the national territory through Mediterranean migration routes," according to a decision by Premier Giorgia Meloni and Civil Protection Minister Nello Musumeci published on May 28 in the Official Gazette.

The measure recalled that the "declaration of the state of emergency was adopted to deal with situations that required the use of extraordinary means and powers due to their intensity and dimension."

Also read: Meloni government seeks to halt migrant departures with accords

Extension requested by interior ministry

The extension was requested in a note by the interior ministry due to the "exceptional nature of the ongoing situation."

In the same note, the ministry illustrated the "complex evolution of the international crisis scenario, which is set to provoke growing migration waves that could reach the Mediterranean coasts through Libya, as well as the expectation of a significant rise in the arrival of foreign citizens in Italy with the stabilization of favorable weather and maritime conditions with the approach of the summer season."

The decision noted that interventions to overcome the critical situation are still ongoing and, therefore, the emergency is not over.

Thanks to the state of emergency, it stressed, migrant hosting facilities could be "built or extended quickly."

Confirming the measure "is necessary to deal with new, possible critical situations," it said.

Also read: Migrant reception centers in Albania operational 'soon', Italy PM

'Senseless propaganda', ARCI

"The extension of the state of emergency over migrant flows is senseless propaganda unrelated to reality," said Filippo Miraglia, ARCI's national immigration chief.

"For years, governments, especially this one, have avoided planning interventions and instead invented emergencies, actually creating them."

"The emergency lets the government skip procedures and justify the lack of strategy and planning," he continued.

"The national hosting plan is mandatory by law, yet the government fails to respect it."

"With summer approaching, there will likely be more arrivals. A serious government would plan interventions, use resources correctly, and expand the SAI network, rather than finance harmful interventions like the centers in Albania," stressed Miraglia.

"The hosting system and immigration services remain in chaos due to uncoordinated and ineffective interventions. We appeal to the government to address the real issues and plan actions to avoid last year's unresolved chaos. Perhaps confusion and discomfort are the objectives pursued by this government," he concluded.

Also read: Lampedusa: Is proclaiming a 'state of emergency' helpful?