On February 11, a total of 139 refugees arrived in Rome from Libya through the humanitarian corridors initiative. Among them were 39 women and 69 minors.
The group landed at Leonardo da Vinci International Airport in Fiumicino on a charter flight organized by the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR). Departing from Tripoli, Libya, the flight carried refugees who had endured prolonged hardships, including some minors born in Libya who had spent their entire lives in extremely difficult conditions.
Shelter provided by different Italian regions
Their entry into Italy was made possible by the MOU signed in December 2023 between the Italian Interior Ministry, the Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ministry, UNHCR, ARCI and the Community of Sant'Egidio. So far, this humanitarian corridors initiative has provided safety for 592 individuals.
The refugees come from different African countries, and they will be sheltered in different Italian regions by the Community of Sant'Egidio, Arci and through the national shelter system SAI.
Their integration process will begin immediately, following the established model of the humanitarian corridors. Minors will be enrolled in schools, while adults will receive support in learning the Italian language and finding employment.
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8,000 refugees transferred since February 2016 via corridors
"The humanitarian corridors, which are fully self-financed, are a civil society initiative that reveals how it is possible to reconcile the safety from sea crossings -- and thereby from human smugglers -- with sheltering and integration. A best practice model recognized at the international level that can become a model for States and the entire European Union."
"At a time marked by an increased number of conflicts, the initiative represents a concrete answer for vulnerable persons and families who have the right to be protected and that should be offered hope for the future," is written in a UNHCR note.
Since its launch in February 2016, the humanitarian corridors initiative has facilitated the safe arrival of approximately 8,000 refugees in Europe.
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