“The situation in Lampedusa is critical and we appreciate that urgent action is underway to return the island to normalcy.
We fully recognize the difficulties caused by a very large number of people arriving simultaneously on a small island where reception capacities are limited. In order to ensure that people get the assistance they need, decongesting the island remains a top priority. We appreciate the efforts of the local and central authorities in this regard who have already transferred almost 5.000 people in the past 28 hours.
In this situation of severe overcrowding, it is a priority to identify and ensure adequate assistance for vulnerable people such as, for example, survivors of violence and those with other fragile conditions. UNHCR, together with Unicef, IOM and other humanitarian organizations, is present on the island to provide information and assistance to those who have arrived, in support of the authorities.
The current situation can be addressed by reverting to a landings mechanism that involves the use of ships with greater capacity that can relieve pressure on Lampedusa by bringing rescued people to other landing areas as well.
This solution requires the early support of the European Union in a spirit of shared responsibility and solidarity with the countries of first landing. UNHCR reiterates its call for the establishment of an agreed regional mechanism for landing and redistribution procedures for people arriving by sea.”
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