Country: Italy, refugee arrivals by sea from the Central Mediterranean route
Sector(s): Protection, Basic Needs, Information Needs and Assistance, Mental Health
Contact(s): Susanna Zanfrini, Italy Director – Sara Bonfanti, Italy Head of Programs
Data Collection: 22 September 2023 – 6 October 2023
Executive Summary
Between September 22 and October 6 2023, the IRC Italy team conducted a rapid multi-sectoral assessment in Sicily, Calabria, Lazio, Lombardy and Piedmont to determine the needs and challenges of people who have arrived in Southern Italy by sea in the last three months. Data was collected through 538 Household (HH) surveys and 25 Key Informant Interviews. Out of the 538 HHs interviewed, 475 had arrived by the Central Mediterranean route in the past three months and were considered for analysis. 35% were households living on the streets/without shelter, mainly engaged in train stations, soup kitchens and other gathering places, while 65% were households living in formal and informal accommodations.
The majority of those surveyed (n=227) reported intending to stay in Italy for the next 1-6 months, either in the current location (n=188) or in another city (n=39).
The three top priorities identified by household respondents were Temporary Accommodation/Shelter, followed by Connectivity and Food. Information also emerged as a key category need for interviewed people, with almost half of total respondents (n=233) reporting the need for information.
The importance of accessing information becomes apparent when examining the various barriers people face in meeting their needs. Notably, ‘Can’t speak the language’ ranks as the 4th most significant barrier and ‘Lack of information on the help and services available’ is the 5th most prominent obstacle to accessing what people need. The barriers most frequently identified preventing people to meet their needs are related to lack of funds and connectivity (no access to phones and to internet). Furthermore, when respondents were asked if they felt adequately informed about their legal situation in Italy, entitled services, and how to access them, 83% indicated that they felt a little informed or not well-informed at all.
Primary and secondary data gathered through Household surveys, Key Informant Interviews, a desk review and a mapping of existing organizations show that services currently available in disembarkment areas (Sicily and Calabria) and in first reception centers (Sicily, Calabria, Lazio) are struggling with the high numbers of arrivals, in particular for people with vulnerabilities such as Unaccompanied and Separated Children, women, and people with disabilities. Services for people outside the reception system are quasi-nonexistent and often not accessible or known by the target population.
Therefore, it is recommended to focus on members of the target population who are not or less reached by the support of organizations and the public system, in particular people in transit and people outside the reception system. This should be done by responding to the pressing needs of connectivity, NFIs and information reaching people in the area who sleep or gather in proximity of train stations, soup kitchens and other key transit points. This could be key to protect people from the risk of smugglers, trafficking and job exploitation, as well as support them in an early inclusion process.