WELDI baseline report

Migrant population
Mostly temporary population landing on Lampedusa in small boats
from Tunisia and Libya. They are hosted in a “hotspot” on the island and
within three days are shipped to Sicily by national authorities. More
than 150,000 arrived in 2023.
209 settled non-Italian nationals, of which 82 males, 127 females. The
biggest nationality groups are Romanians (104), Pakistani (13) and
Senegalese (13) working in elderly care, tourism and fishing.
Challenges and needs
Poor level or lack of services, both for locals and temporary migrant
population, in particular regarding lack of adequate healthcare.
▷ Exchange experiences about trauma–informed healthcare and
psychological care.
▷ Learn about the social inclusion of new arrivals.
Socio-economic context
Low average age and significant school population (around 850).
Tourist economy - 250,000 overnight stays per year.
Residual, but significant fishing industry. Fishermen symbolise the readiness
to rescue anyone in danger, as provided for by the unwritten law
of the sea. However, the boats in which migrants arrive are economically
damaging because of the debris causing damage to fishing boats and
nets.
Infrastructure strained by migrant arrivals - e.g. port infrastructure
blocked by migrant boats and debris, accumulation of waste on the
island, need to provide coffins for migrants having died at sea.
Facing the contradictions of EU migration policies while having no say
over reception policies.
Representational and moral problem of being associated with migrant
landings and deaths.
▷ Reclaim an active role for the local authority on what is happening
on Lampedusa and contribute to shaping a new narrative about the
island.
Strong dependency on the import of goods and services from Sicily.
Crucial role of commuter workers from mainland Sicily (doctors, nurses,
teachers, lawyers and other professionals, police forces) - up to
1,000 people work on the island as a result of the arrival of migrants.
WELDI - Baseline report Lampedusa, IT 34