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Dozens Of Migrants Will Be Evicted From Ħal Far By The End Of The Month

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Malta’s reception centres appear to be reaching a breaking point after dozens of migrants were informed that they will be evicted from the residence by the end of the month.

The Times of Malta has reported that the migrants will be evicted to make room for further arrivals.

Speaking to the same newsroom, one resident explained how difficult it was for migrants to find a home:

“We know that in September we will not be allowed in [the Ħal Far facilities] any more. We will have to find a new place to live. It is very hard; no one wants to give a place to immigrants, you know?”

The issue surrounding housing for migrants is bubbling to the surface after a raid on horse stables in Marsa revealed the decrepit living conditions over a hundred migrant were subject to.

As explained by a spokesperson from the Ministry for Home Affairs, migrants are eligible to stay at the reception centre between nine to twelve months, after which they would have to be evicted.

The goal of a reception centre is to essentially allow migrants to integrate into society and not provide a permanent home. However, rising housing costs and landlords who are hesitant to rent out to migrants mean that many times, people are effectively made homeless.

The open centres themselves have also been subject to criticism, with a report flagging the “extremely challenging” living conditions, low hygiene levels, and severe overcrowding.

Before 2017, the situation at open centres remained relatively stable with the country receiving practically zero arrivals from the sea for three years. However, the rise of an anti-migrant coalition in Italy has seen arrivals in Malta grow.

At present, two ships are carrying a total of 503 people waiting to disembark after being denied entry into European ports.

A few have been evacuated due to health reasons. However, with the image of the lifeless man aboard a dinghy still fresh in the memory, questions have to be asked what exactly is being done on both a European and local level to ensure the effective integration of refugees.

READ NEXT: WATCH: The Heartbreaking Moment Border Agents Discover Dead Body Aboard Rubber Dinghy

Julian is the former editor of Lovin Malta and has a particular interest in politics, the environment, social issues, and human interest stories.

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