European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen recently paid a visit to a migrant reception center on Italy's Lampedusa Island, responding to the urgent need for EU

assistance in managing the influx of migrants arriving via small boats. Over the past three days, more than 8,000 migrants have landed on the island, placing Italy under significant strain.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni emphasized the "unsustainable pressure" that Italy is facing due to the continuous influx of migrants and called for European Union support.

During a joint news conference with Ms. Meloni, von der Leyen recognized the gravity of the situation, describing it as "a European challenge that requires a European solution." She commended the people of Lampedusa for their support to the migrants, who she noted had arrived on the island primarily because of its geographical location. Von der Leyen pledged increased assistance in relocating migrants from Lampedusa and intensifying efforts to combat human traffickers who facilitate perilous and illegal journeys.

Meloni stressed that Italy could not resolve this crisis on its own, as it was affecting not only the border nations but would soon impact all EU member states. She emphasized the importance of addressing the challenge of illegal immigration as a fundamental issue for the future of Europe.

Tragically, on Saturday, the lifeless body of a newborn baby was discovered on a migrant vessel. It is suspected that the mother gave birth during the journey from North Africa, and investigations into the child's death are ongoing.

Meloni has been advocating for a European Union naval blockade to prevent boats from crossing the Mediterranean and reaching Italian shores. The Italian Red Cross reported that they were dealing with around 2,500 individuals at a reception center originally designed for 400 arrivals. Volunteers and staff have been tirelessly providing meals and facilitating transfers of new arrivals to Sicily and other locations.

The surge in migrant arrivals in Italy this year has reached nearly 126,000, double the number for the same period in 2022. Meloni has urged von der Leyen to grasp the gravity of the situation and expedite the implementation of the agreement with Tunisia, the main departure point for African migrants attempting to reach Europe. This agreement, signed in July, is supported by €110 million in EU funding aimed at curbing smuggling, reinforcing borders, and facilitating migrant returns.

The growing number of arrivals prompted protests by some Lampedusa residents against plans to construct a new tent camp for hosting migrants. Residents expressed concerns about the island's future and called for an end to tent camps, advocating instead for migrants to be sent to mainland Italy. Activists working on Lampedusa also emphasized that the issue lies in the management of the reception system and the need for proper rescues and relocation to the mainland to alleviate the crisis on the island. Photo by European Parliament from EU, Wikimedia commons.