A total of 300 Afghan refugees comprising the first three groups have reached the capital city of Rome with the use of a fresh humanitarian corridor that has been launched by the government of Italy, charities as well as international organizations.
The ministry stated that the humanitarian corridor strives to give additional refugees and persecuted Afghans the likeliness of a dignified and secure future after the withdrawal of the United States-led international troops in August 2021 and the Taliban’s return to power.
The first group comprising nine people, reached Rome from Tehran on July 25, Monday, followed by a second larger group of more than 200 Afghans who are to arrive from Pakistan on Wednesday, July 27. At the same time, the third group will fly to Italy from Tehran on July 28, Thursday.
The ministry stated that the 300 refugees that will be arriving this week are part of a predicted total of 1,200 Afghan refugees from Iran, Pakistan as well as other neighbouring countries and the women along with children will be a priority.
The UN refugee agency and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) were also involved in organizing the corridor along with charities, including the Community of Sant’Egidio and Caritas.
Thousands of Afghans were taken out after the fall of Kabul, but many who risked Taliban retribution were left behind.
Italy has been attempting for several years to arrange humanitarian corridors as an alternative for illegal migration for those fleeing conflict, persecution or other threatening situations.
But, the number of those being able to use such corridors is small compared to the tens of thousands of people who resort to smugglers to reach Europe.
As per the data released by the UN refugee agency, “3,280 Afghan refugees have arrived in Italy this year alone by the perilous Mediterranean Sea smuggling route that has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths.