Assistance to migrants in Sicily

In Sicily, providing assistance to migrants arriving in Italy via Libya.

From the beginning of the project in 2013 to December 31, 2018, our teams have assisted 18,365 people, offering 38,030 consultations.

In the ports and first reception centres

After our initial interventions in the port of Syracuse and near the ‘Umberto I’ First Welcome Centre, we expanded our presence on the island, at the request of the Prefecture and local healthcare organisations, in order to respond to the increasing number of landings.

In 2015, we started working in different Sicilian ports, including Augusta and Pozzallo (the project ended on December 31, 2018), offering primary care to migrants upon their arrival. We have seen cases of dehydration, common cold, bronchitis, gastrointestinal problems, muscle aches, and dermatological problems, often resulting from travel conditions, and also more serious diseases: malnourishment, those with chronic ailments who could not follow their regular treatments and therapies and many people in shock after the crossing. To respond to these needs, in 2016 we began a project dedicated to providing primary psychological assistance, aimed at more vulnerable patients, such as unaccompanied minors and those who have suffered violence or torture.

Together with healthcare staff, doctors and nurses – psychologists-psychotherapists and cultural mediators also worked in our teams, in order to better evaluate the healthcare needs of migrants as they arrive and inform them of the administrative and legal steps they must undertake.

Centres for unaccompanied minors (MSNA)

Our staff also worked at First Reception Centres and CAS (Extraordinary Reception Centres) “Frasca” in Rosolini and “Mondo Nuovo” in Noto, in the province of Syracuse.