The council has authorised an institutional declaration in which it acknowledges that the inhabitants of El Hierro are not “equipped” to handle the current situation.
VALVERDE (EL HIERRO), 3 (EUROPA PRESS)
This Thursday, the Cabildo of El Hierro sanctioned an institutional statement highlighting its “absolute inability” to deal with the migration crisis confronting the island, asserting that the capacity for “resistance and resilience” has been exceeded.
The council recalls last week’s shipwreck, regarded as “the most significant migratory tragedy” in the archipelago’s history, resulting in 28 survivors, 9 fatalities and 53 individuals unaccounted for after the completion of the search and rescue operation.
Furthermore, it points out that throughout 2023, a total of 152 vessels arrived at El Hierro, primarily of the cayuco type, leading to a tally of 14,417 migrants rescued and treated. As of October 1, 2024, the number of boats has risen to 191, with 15,025 migrants registered, reflecting a growing presence of women and children.
The Cabildo maintains that the available material and human resources for reception, identification, and healthcare on the island are “entirely inadequate,” and the reception systems have been “overwhelmed on numerous occasions.”
In this regard, the corporation previously called in October of last year for the central government to utilise the La Caleta barracks to bolster material and human resources in support of the Red Cross, Civil Protection, Civil Guard, National Police, and Maritime Rescue. They also urged the expeditious management of waste resulting from the arrival of canoes at the islands’ ports, particularly La Restinga.
“We, the people of El Hierro, are a supportive and empathetic community, fully aware of the meaning of emigration; however, we must admit that we are not equipped — neither in terms of space, nor population, nor human and material resources — to handle this unceasing influx of cayucos with migrants in need of effective and dignified assistance,” the institutional statement asserts.
Thus, while the Government must focus on developing new infrastructure related to migrant reception, it must also “continue to advance in the establishment of protocols for immediate referrals to other islands with greater capacity, whilst ensuring dignity and human rights.”
“DISPROPORTIONATE” NUMBER OF MINORS
In the specific case of unaccompanied minors, the Cabildo has requested a “specific procedure” to ensure that El Hierro does not endure the burden of a “disproportionate” number of minors relative to its population, “which necessitates enhanced care and desirable social and educational integration.”
Consequently, they find it “essential” to reform the Immigration Law, fostering consensus to facilitate a “fair and supportive distribution” of minors.
The Cabildo also cautions that the crisis is anticipated to “escalate” in the forthcoming months, as “thousands of individuals in Africa are desperately seeking to embark in pursuit of a better future.”
“Our island of El Hierro will remain a beacon of hope for many fleeing their homeland, hence we must be ready for such contingencies,” it emphasises.
The corporation acknowledges the “efforts” of all personnel involved in rescue and reception operations and additionally calls for a “review” of all existing resources, with extraordinary measures also in place for “peak situations.”
