According to Save the Children Italy, there are nearly 4,000 people in Italy who are ready to become volunteer legal guardians for unaccompanied child migrants in the country. These children currently number more than 14,300.
It's been one year since the so-called Zampa law for the protection of unaccompanied minor migrants in Italy was enacted. Now, nearly 4,000 people across Italy have given their availability to become volunteer legal guardians to unaccompanied child migrants.
An initial survey conducted on 2,000 volunteer guardians revealed that three out of five of the volunteers are women with an average age between 40 and 50 years old. The majority are university-educated, in particular in the areas of law, social services, education and health. The survey was conducted by Save the Children Italy together with some of the country's regional child protection guarantor offices.
Over 14,300 unaccompanied minors counted
There are more than 14,300 unaccompanied minor migrants representing at least 40 different nationalities currently recorded in the Italian migrant reception system. These children and adolescents came to Italy by themselves, without any adults accompanying them, and were therefore easily exposed to the risks of exploitation and violence.
Save the Children Italy's Programme Director Raffaela Milano said one of the most positive aspects of the Zampa law's passage is the "enthusiasm and participation of so many citizens". She added, however, that the application of the new measure "is making spotty progress" nationwide, with "non-uniform practices and bureaucratic red tape".
Health system enrolment denied to children
Milano said that enrolment into the country's national healthcare system is "very often" denied to children prior to their acquiring a stay permit, which she said creates "very serious consequences in terms of healthcare assistance". She said the simplified process for acquiring a stay permit for children still has not been implemented in Palermo, Milan, Trapani and Rome. "It's therefore urgent and necessary that the provisions of the law be put into practice across the entire country," she said.