(4 minutes read)
· A number of Tunisians are treating Italy’s shores as the Gateway for salvation from the economic miseries that they are undergoing in their own country. Many are debating whether there would be a repeat of history, when people Syria, Iraq and Tunisia flocked to Europe and beyond, which lead to migrant influx of 2015
· The unofficial figures suggest that nearly 8,000 Tunisians crossed the Mediterranean to Italy. According to the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, this works out six times more than the number of refugees last year
· An average of two migrant boats left the coastal town of Zarzis every evening during the summer bound for the Italian island of Lampedusa, making the Tunisians as the largest migrant population in Italy
A number of Tunisians are treating Italy’s shores as the Gateway for salvation from the economic miseries that they are undergoing in their own country. Many are debating whether there would be a repeat of history, when people of Syria, Iraq and Tunisia flocked to Europe and beyond, which led to the migrant influx of 2015.
The lockdown in Tunisia by any means is a success. The spread of the pandemic was contained with good results, which the country can boast of. Undeniably, the measures devastated the country’s already ailing economy.
That has led to many leaving the country seeking better pastures. The unofficial figures suggest that nearly 8,000 Tunisians crossed the Mediterranean to Italy. According to the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, this works out six times more than the number of refugees last year. An average of two migrant boats left the coastal town of Zarzis every evening during the summer bound for the Italian island of Lampedusa, making the Tunisians as the largest migrant population in Italy.
The migration which was at a lull pace during the lockdown due to strict vigilance at the border points thanks to health restrictions, eased with the lifting of restrictions. Reports coming from Italy suggest that Tunisians are the majority of the migrants. This has raised alarm in Italy; but still a concerted action to stop the migration is still not seen. Amidst these developments, the usual efforts to stop migration are still in operation. For instance, Italy has promised Tunisia US$13 million for border-control measures. Meanwhile, the EU has promised to extend an existing border-management program with Tunisia by 20 months and US$11.8 million.
