(ANSA) - ROME, 30 GEN - "In 2020, over 4,000 migrants and
refugees reached the north-east Italian border after traveling
along the Balkan route. It is a key route for Italy, as at least
a quarter of all migrants and refugees who arrive in the country
come from the Balkans. Among them are many Afghans, Iraqis, and
Syrians, fleeing violence and persecution and subsequently
obtain protection in Italy. Moreover, there is an increasing
number of unaccompanied minors," said IOM and UNHCR in a joint
statement, explaining that the situation on the north-east
border has been the focus in recent days of a meeting in
Trieste. Chiara Cardoletti, a representative for Italy, the Holy
See and San Marino of the UNHCR, UN Refugee Agency, and Laurence
Hart, head of the Coordination Office for the Mediterranean Sea
of the International Organization for Migration, took part in
the mission.
During the visit, the two organizations' representatives - the
statement reads - met with government and city authorities and
representatives of civil society and discussed the situation on
the border with Slovenia and the reception and assistance plans
for migrants and refugees. "The flows of migrants and refugees
along the Balkan route are likely to continue in 2021. We need
to act immediately, activating all the assistance and
information services required by law in Italy", underlined
Chiara Cardoletti. UNHCR and IOM announce that "they will
continue to monitor the situation at Italy's borders closely."
(ANSA).
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