Italy plans 20m euros for migrant repatriations from N Africa

ROME: Italy plans to invest 20 million euros ($22 million) in a new project to help Algeria, Libya and Tunisia send irregular migrants from their territories back to the migrants´ countries of origin.

The hard-right government of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has vowed to cut irregular migration to Italy´s shores from North Africa -- the majority of whom depart from Libya and Tunisia. But many of the migrants who depart hail from other countries, especially sub-Saharan African countries.

Italy´s new plan “focuses on strengthening the institutional and administrative-managerial capacities of the partner countries,” with the involvement of 400 officials, Italy´s foreign affairs ministry said in a statement published Wednesday.

Irregular migration would be better addressed “through the improvement and development of assisted voluntary repatriations from Algeria, Libya and Tunisia to the countries of origin,” it said.

It said the project would collaborate with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to ensure migrants´ rights. The ministry said the plan would benefit “around 3,300 of the most vulnerable migrants, carrying out their repatriation to their countries of origin in a sustainable and effective way.”

It said Italy´s Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), which helps carry out development activities, would provide technical support.