The Government is looking for locations throughout Spain to increase the reception network after the arrival of migrants to the Canary Islands

MADRID, 20 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration has visited "several locations" throughout Spain to "reinforce the reception network" in the face of the increase in arrivals of migrants in an irregular situation to the Canary Islands. Only in the first fortnight of October, 8,561 people have arrived and, so far this year, the number of migrants arriving in the Canary Islands by boat or cayuco has increased by 79.4% compared to the same period of the previous year, with a total of 23,537 people.

Sources from the Ministry of Inclusion have told Europa Press that they are looking for both public sites - including Defense land - and entities to release migratory pressure in the Canary Islands and be prepared for possible arrival scenarios, although they have pointed out that for the moment They are not needed.

"The Ministry of Inclusion is working on several contingency plans to reinforce the reception network in the event of possible arrival scenarios," the same sources explained. However, they have not wanted to reveal any of the locations visited to date.

As reported by the newspaper El País this Friday, Ministry personnel, Tragsa technicians and the NGO Red Cross, visited the former military barracks of Campamento, in Madrid, a few days ago to study the possible installation of tents and containers for the hosting between 2,000 and 5,000 migrants. However, the same sources have told Europa Press that this location "is not a priority" and "is not" in the "central scenarios" of the Ministry.

As stated this Thursday by the Minister of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, José Luis Escrivá, during his visit to the island of El Hierro, last Tuesday, before the Council of Ministers, the Minister of the Presidency, Félix Bolaños, convened a meeting six more ministers to evaluate "the different elements that arise from the management of a situation like this" and to be able to give "a response as soon as possible."

"We are coordinated and the coordinator in this case is the Minister of the Presidency. We are meeting and seeing all the needs that arise, we are going to see how they can be addressed," Escrivá said.

Regarding the transfers of migrants who arrived irregularly to the Canary Islands to the Peninsula, which have taken place in recent days, such as the 200 who arrived at the shelter in Mérida (Badajoz) or the almost 200 transferred by the Government to Quicena and Sabiñánigo (Huesca, Aragón), sources from the Ministry of Inclusion have explained to Europa Press that they always act the same, referring migrants to resources where there are places available.

The same sources specify that the management of the reception system carried out by the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration is "comprehensive and flexible throughout the territory, not only on the islands" and that "migrants who arrive are referred to the resources where there are places available and they best adapt to their characteristics".

Furthermore, they add that this was already done during the previous crisis in the Canary Islands in 2020, as well as with Syrian refugees, Ukrainians and Afghans; and they have specified that the stay in that reception network is voluntary and occurs after remaining in police custody for a maximum of 72 hours.

According to what they point out, the Peninsula's resources may come from other centers on the Peninsula or from the islands. Likewise, they point out that there are applicants for international protection who go to the reception system centers and vulnerable migrants who arrive to the coasts and to Ceuta and Melilla and who are cared for in the Humanitarian Care centers.