Unaccompanied minors, Legnano working with the Municipalities to open a protected structure

Legnano is working with the municipalities in the area to activate a small protected structure in the area for unaccompanied minors fleeing their country of origin affected by war and poverty. An ambitious project, the realization of which on the one hand is necessary, on the other complex but not impossible. Even though in this period the arrivals have almost disappearedthis phenomenon appears “an emergency” that cannot wait the end of the construction site informer barracks in via Dei Mille intended precisely for a protected facility for minors, including migrants. She is certain of this Anna Pavan vice mayor of Legnano as well as councilor for Social Services who is carefully following the topic and related projects such as the one underway in the Milanese Ato. The building in which to open this reality has already been identified, all the procedures for activation are now underway.

Behind the arrival of the very young refugees there is a job not only of reception, but also to search for places in suitable structures. «The commitment of the staff of the Social Services of Legnano cannot be taken for granted – explains Pavan -. Not all protected communities are available to offer this type of service.” However, the Milan Police Headquarters requires that certain rules be respected therefore, as the vice mayor specifies «minors cannot simply remain in our territory, they must necessarily be placed in suitable structures. And the difficulty is such that in 2023 one of these kids was accompanied by the Local Police of Legnano to Udine.”

Until a few days ago there were still two minors in Legnano and in the hot period, therefore from the end of last autumn until well into winter, at least thirty very young people between 15 and 17 years old were taken into care: teenagers with a long journey of hope made up of traumatic experiences behind them. In this context, in 2023 the Local Police counted 30 services in support of protected encounters, transfers and custody of minors and 48 services for the protection of minors managed by the judicial authority. Interventions are carried out in collaboration with the Municipality’s Social Services and the SOLE company. Given that the global situation, characterized by conflicts, has not improved at all in recent months, the prospect of having to welcome other runaway teenagers is not so remote for this reason: «We are working to try to understand if we can activate a place in the Legnanese area to welcome these kids. The identified structure will not disappear with the opening of via Dei Mille whose purpose is more aimed at young people in the area. It’s not a simple thing and we don’t know if it will be possible to do it. We certainly have to give him a chance.”.

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