TRIESTE – This morning at the press club the second report on the situation and needs of migrants arriving in Trieste from the Balkan route in 2023 was presented. The document, drawn up by the solidarity network that unites various associations active in reception and humanitarian assistance, offers an in-depth look at the complex reality of thousands of migrants who choose Trieste as a safe landing point.
The Trieste context
According to the report, the increase in arrivals in 2023 has not found an adequate response from the institutions. The absence of first humanitarian assistance interventions and the lack of initiative by the prefecture of Trieste in promptly placing asylum seekers have aggravated an already critical situation. Many people were left homeless, waiting to be welcomed into initial reception centres. The Municipality of Trieste has not implemented adequate assistance interventionsand the lack of humanitarian support from the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region has further worsened the conditions of migrants.
The data for 2023
In the period from 1 January to 31 December 2023, 16,052 people were met and assisted in the Trieste station areawith an average of 44 new arrivals per day, marking an increase of 22% compared to 2022. The vast majority of migrants came from Afghanistan, with almost 11,000 visitors, equal to 68% of the total. 76% were adults, 24% minors, 96% male and 4% female. Only 16% of migrants intend to stop in Trieste to ask for political asylum, while 68% declared they want to reach other European destinations, with a preference for Germany, followed by France, Switzerland and Belgium.
Transfers
According to data from the Ministry of the Interior, 2,433 asylum seekers were transferred from Friuli Venezia Giulia to other regions, of which 1,788 from Trieste. This data reflects an actual reception of 2,207 people in the initial reception centres. Reception centers, such as Casa Malala and the Campo Sacro Hostel, did not operate efficiently as high-turnover facilities. At Casa Malala, people waited an average of 53 days for transfer, with some cases waiting up to 247 days. At the Campo Sacro Hostel, the average stay was 30 days.
The recommendations
The report concludes with a series of crucial recommendations to improve the management of migratory flows in Trieste. It is proposed to prepare a public plan to guarantee humanitarian assistance and adequate temporary shelter for the thousands of people arriving every year. Furthermore, it is essential to ensure the full functioning of a high-rotation initial reception system that guarantees the immediate reception and rapid transfer of asylum seekers to national reception facilities. An inclusive approach that promotes social integration and avoids the marginalization and ghettoization of migrants is fundamental to address the situation in an effective and humane way.
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