VALVERDE (EL HIERRO), 11 Jul. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The head of the Cabildo de El Hierro, Alpidio Armas (PSOE), has condemned the “pantomime” of the Sectoral Conference on Children and Youth in Tenerife, questioning the “hypocrisy” of the regional communities for only agreeing to take in 347 unaccompanied migrant minors from the Canary Islands.
“We cannot celebrate in any way when, after a four-hour Sectoral Conference on Children in Tenerife, the only outcome is the voluntary relocation of 347 unaccompanied migrant minors to other Regional Communities,” he stated to reporters, noting that this figure is almost equivalent to the number already managed by El Hierro.
Armas highlighted that currently, the number of migrants, including the elderly, housed in the facilities on El Hierro exceeds the planned referrals to other regional communities, “with approximately 250 unaccompanied minors accounted for so far.”
“From El Hierro, in light of this hypocrisy, we will continue to show solidarity to the best of our abilities and resources. So far this year, we have almost matched the migration figures to our own population. In fact, we have received 9,195 migrants on the island of El Hierro, and regrettably, we are witnessing them arriving in increasingly poor health conditions, leading to 17 fatalities this year compared to around 13 last year,” he remarked.
According to him, the Sectoral Conference on Children has merely demonstrated that “unfortunately, the migration crisis has not been tackled as a national issue, but rather, as a playground for discord and clash of political interests.”
Armas believes that “the Canary Islands need to relocate over 2,000 of the 5,500 minors they currently accommodate to ease the crisis, and El Hierro cannot sustain an average of 250 minors if we genuinely aim to provide them with proper care and ensure their social and educational integration.”
The leader of the Cabildo de El Hierro expressed not only his specific concerns regarding the care of minors but also the future of healthcare services.
“Our medical and hospital infrastructure is under immense strain, with uncertainties about the future. Despite the dedication of our professionals, the resources and facilities are limited, and it is imperative to acknowledge this before our healthcare system on the island collapses,” he added.
18 MIGRANTS RECEIVED AT THE INSULAR HOSPITAL
Currently, there are 18 migrants being treated at the island hospital, necessitating the creation of dedicated spaces for them.
Therefore, Armas has called for “high-level agreements” to combat the migration crisis.
“We can’t heal deep wounds with temporary measures. We require legislation that is attuned to our reality, awareness of the situation, a strategic approach to tackling this crisis, and regional solidarity to confront this humanitarian tragedy that overwhelms us daily – a challenge that cannot be addressed single-handedly by communities like the Canary Islands or islands like El Hierro,” he urged.
The president of the island also emphasised the urgency of reforming the Immigration Law to avert a “migration crisis,” foreseeing a bleak future in the countries of origin.
