Valverde (El Hierro), 12 (Europa Press)
The Plenary of the Cabildo de El Hierro has unanimously approved an institutional declaration to present a “unified voice” and to request from both the central government and the Canarian authorities a range of measures aimed at addressing the immigration crisis currently affecting the island. This approach seeks to balance humanitarian care with a return to normalcy while ensuring the quality of life for the residents of El Hierro.
Furthermore, the council has called for the relocation of all mobile and fixed facilities, including the refrigerated container at the Restinga dock, to a site “that does not impose an impact nor compromise the living conditions of local inhabitants.” At the same time, they have urged Canarian ports to “restore the traditional activities of the port to their original state.”
They have also requested that “those responsible for the service improve the management of waste generated by the arrival of pateras, by establishing a clear protocol for the collection and disposal of such waste.” Additionally, they seek to have a fixed ambulance stationed in Restinga to “ensure a rapid response to any emergencies” and to fulfil medical plans and healthcare provisions for both residents and visitors.
The island president, Alpidio Armas, expressed gratitude to the other groups for reaching a consensus on such a significant issue that “concerns and occupies” the minds of those on El Hierro. He remarked that the situation has been addressed with “generosity, humanity, empathy, and solidarity” throughout this humanitarian crisis, but emphasised the necessity of also defending the interests of El Hierro and Restinga.
