Palermo, Italy [Luca Alfano; ADRA Italia; CD EUDNews]. On June 15th the Italian navy ship Etna, docked in the port of Palermo with 767 immigrants rescued in various operations in the Straight of Sicily: among them were also those who survived the last shipwreck off the coast of Libya, after which there were 10 deaths and 15 seriously injured due to burns.
The City of Palermo, in collaboration with Caritas, quickly made things available to ensure assistance in admitting and welcoming these people, organizing various voluntary groups and confirm that everything was ready for the initial relief and response from the city.
Many community venues were open and made available such as reception centers, churches and other public places. A large number of the Sicilian people showed sympathy and sensitive reaction of charity, by unselfishly and liberally giving clothes, food and basic necessities. These people disembarked with disease, malnutrition, exhaustion, and lack of dignity for having been forced to flee from their homeland at the risk of life itself.
Also the Adventist church, through ADRA Palermo immediately got involved in helping, and thanks to the positive influence of Saturday the 21st, it was possible to enter one of the main centers of the city, at the church of St. John Mary Vianney, in the Falsomiele neighborhood of Palermo, where about 280 immigrants are sheltered, mainly from Ghana, Gambia, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Mali and Guinea.
This allowed us to see first-hand what the real and immediate needs are and what we can do to help make them feel welcomed and loved; on Monday, the 23rd, local volunteers, supported by ADRA Italy, supplied about 300 personal hygiene kits (soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, towels, etc...)
The same evening, a musical program was presented by the Palermo Ghanaian Adventist gospel choir, during which we tried to convey warmth and solidarity with these people visibly lost, disoriented and insecure.
"Speaking with the coordinator of the center, we realize that there are still so many needs to be met, and we will continue to help with the activities in the next few weeks, when we will need to organize the lives of these people and to engage them in useful and productive daily activities" (Italian courses, hands-on workshops, recreational and cultural activities, etc...).
ADRA Italy will continue to keep us updated on the services and developments of this delicate national emergency situation, to which we should be sensitive and involved, both emotionally and physically.
Pictures: 1. The hygiene kits; 2. Luca Alfano, Project Leader of ADRA Italia;
