Over 200 extra places for underage migrants

The Catalan government yesterday decided to create 230 places for unaccompanied and underage foreign migrants who have arrived in Catalonia in recent weeks. The measure aims to solve the problems overwhelming the system experienced in recent days, in which some migrants have even had to sleep in police stations.

The government says the measure is a one-off and that the Dgaia, the agency charged with providing assistance to minors, will continue to take charge of migrants who arrive in the country without an adult responsible for them. According to official figures, some 950 underage and unaccompanied migrants arrived in Catalonia this summer. That meant that the 80 places in the new reception centre in Masnou filled up straight away. What’s more, this exceptional situation coincides with the closure of a centre in the neighbourhood of Hostafrancs at the beginning of the month.

Since the beginning of the year, more than 1,900 underage migrants have arrived in Catalonia, a figure that is already much higher than the 1,480 for the whole of last year. The Ombudsman, Rafael Ribó, yesterday called for more reception centres.

Meanwhile, the Spanish government extended the period for autonomous communities to voluntary offer to take in underage migrants.