A new protocol has been signed in Italy for the safe arrival of a further 1,000 refugees through humanitarian corridors. The project follows on from the first initiative launched in 2015.
Following the success of the first initiative launched in 2015, a further 1,000 beneficiaries of international protection can now enter Italy legally and safely thanks to humanitarian corridors established under a new protocol between the foreign and interior ministries, Sant'Egidio Community, Federation of Evangelical Churches and Waldensian Round Table.
A further 1,000 migrants in Italy in safety
The project will be activated in Lebanon and Morocco and represents the continuation of the protocol signed in 2015 for the arrival of approximately 1,000 mostly Syrian asylum seekers from Lebanon.
The accord has been signed by the head of the interior ministry's immigration department Gerarda Pantalone, the director general for Italians abroad and migration policies of the foreign ministry Luigi Maria Vignali, Sant'Egidio president Marco Impagliazzo, Luca Maria Negro for the Evangelical churches and Luca Anziani for the Waldensian Round Table.
Successful public-private partnership
The Italian interior ministry has said that the humanitarian corridors are an excellent example of the kind of public-private partnership encouraged by the European Commission through the creation of private sponsorship mechanisms allowing civil society organisations to broaden the legal channels of entry for the most vulnerable people in need of international protection, such as single women with children, potential victims of human trafficking, the elderly and people affected by disabilities or serious pathologies. The project also includes a programme for their integration in Italy including language classes, job orientation and schooling.