A flight from the Libyan city of Tripoli organized by UNHCR brought a group of 71 refugees to Rome on the morning of June 25. Over half were women and children who had suffered serious mistreatment, including detention during their journeys from their home countries and in Libya. Some had spent extended periods in Libya, and some of the children arriving with their families were born there.

Their entrance into Italy was made possible through a Memorandum of Understanding between the Italian interior ministry, UNHCR, ARCI, and the Community of Sant'Egidio signed on December 23, 2023. The MoU has reportedly enabled the transfer of 558 people so far.

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Refugees mostly of African origin

Most of those who arrived in Rome were of African origins, including from Eritrea, Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, and Sudan.

They will be hosted in several different Italian regions by the Community of Sant'Egidio with support from various associations and religious congregations as well as the Circoli Rifugio of the ARCI association and with support from the Otto per Mille of the Italian Buddhist institute Soka Gakkai.

They will immediately be able to make use of integration activities as part of the humanitarian corridors model: through schools for the children and language courses and labor market inclusion for the adults.

Welcoming them on the morning of June 25 was the coordinator for humanitarian corridors of the Italians abroad and migration policies of the foreign ministry, Pier Francesco Sacco. A press conference followed in the afternoon.

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Two million more fleeing worldwide than last year

"It is a joy to see tired faces that are however happy to have arrived in a safe situation, one of protection," commented UNHCR spokesman in Italy Filippo Ungaro during the press conference welcoming the 71 refugees.

According to a recent UNHCR report, he added, "the number of people fleeing conflicts, persecution, and human rights violations in the world reached a new record of 122 million -- two million more than last year and double the number ten years ago."

However, alongside this increase, there are "ever fewer funds available, with the level still that of 2015 despite having double the number of people to protect," he noted.

"Humanitarian corridors are still a lifeline for people who can arrive here in complete safety without having to face dangerous journeys and without having to put themselves in the hands of human traffickers. I would like to thank the organisations and ministries that make these legal channels possible and ever more in number."

"We are very happy to be able to host in our homes and share the coming months with you. We are proud to show you that there are people like us and you in this world," said ARCI national chairman Walter Massa.

"We are aware that the work we do here cannot be done there, where you are from. Even if humanitarian corridors are important, we will continue to fight for a world without borders, where anyone can move freely."

Community of Sant'Egidio chairman Marco Impagliazzo also expressed satisfaction and noted that the situation is "difficult" in general and "hard for thousands of migrants".

"Here there are many women who suffered violence, children, and people in need of treatment. These are, unfortunately, the results of the wars that cross our world. Our response to wars is welcoming and integration for the most vulnerable," Impagliazzo said.

"Wars have many consequences, including that forcing many people to leave their land. This corridor means peace and represents good against the evils of war. Today you are on a good road. I hope that it brings you many results. I wish you a good future in Italy and Europe."