Tents are being installed at ports in the Canary Islands to accommodate migrant minors


  • 30-07-2024
  • National
  • Canarian Weekly
  • Photo Credit: Efe
Tents are being installed at ports in the Canary Islands to accommodate migrant minors

Faced with a shortage of buildings to house migrant minors, the Canary Islands government plans to install tents at ports on the islands of Tenerife, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, and El Hierro. This initiative was announced today by Candelaria Delgado, the Social Welfare Minister, following the Canary Islands Immigration Forum meeting.

Currently, over 5,600 migrant minors are housed in more than 80 facilities across the islands. The regional government anticipates this number could rise to as many as 16,000 minors in the next few months, but it doesn’t have enough space. Efforts are ongoing to pass a decree law to facilitate the distribution of these minors across other regions of Spain.

Immediate Measures and Future Plans

The tents in Lanzarote are nearly complete, while those on the other islands are expected to be ready within two to three weeks. Delgado said that the highest pressure from incoming migrants is expected from September onwards.

"This is not just about infrastructure but also about having the necessary human resources to care for unaccompanied minors," Delgado emphasised. The tents are intended as a temporary measure, housing the minors for only five to six days to allow for the reorganisation and adaptation of existing facilities, which are expected to be "overcrowded."

Tents are being installed at ports in the Canary Islands to accommodate migrant minors

Additional Requests and Coordination

Delgado reiterated the request for the state to provide unused Ministry of Defence installations and to authorise separate areas within adult migrant centres for minors.

During the Immigration Forum meeting, the creation of a crisis committee for emergency situations was agreed upon, along with the formation of a permanent commission with third-sector entities to ensure real-time information on accommodation and care capacities.

Challenges Ahead

The situation remains "complicated and unsustainable," according to Delgado, as finding resources and facilities with the necessary security and care standards continues to be a significant challenge. The government aims to address these immediate needs while seeking longer-term solutions through national support and inter-regional cooperation.

trending