The figures regarding the number of immigrant arrivals this year – published by The Malta Independent yesterday – clearly show that the problem is growing, and that there seems to be no end to the flow of people ending up in Malta as they try to cross over to better pastures from northern Africa to southern Europe.
Figures obtained by this newspaper show that until the end of August, 2,223 immigrants had arrived – which is already 31 per cent more than the total number of immigrants that arrived through the whole of last year (1,702).
As if to confirm the trend, another 85 immigrants were brought to shore yesterday, meaning that the influx of immigrants is set to continue, at least for the next few weeks, that is until the winter months will reduce the flow. But this is already a record year, and there are still four months to go.
The statistics provide further food for thought. This is because Malta is, per capita, the worst hit country from among European nations that are suffering the same phenomenon. Arrivals this year amount to 0.54 per cent of Malta’s population, or one immigrant per 184 Maltese nationals. The number of arrivals in Spain is one for each 5,862 Spaniards and the Italian equivalent is one immigrant per 4,000 Italians.
In all, the 4,509 immigrants currently living in Malta would make up, if they were to live together in one area, roughly the whole population of Ghaxaq. The 2,223 who arrived here so far this year would “replace” the whole population of Mtarfa if they had to be grouped together.
It must be said from the outset that these people deserve all the support and help they could get, but on the other hand it must also be admitted that they are leaving an impact on our society and this will become even more relevant when their number continues to grow.
The problem is that Malta’s predicament is not being noticed as much as it should by the European Union. No matter how much the government tries to obtain physical and financial support from other countries, including other EU member states, this help has so far been too little.
It is also a fact that the Frontex missions, intended to curb the migrants’ influx, has at best not been able to control the situation and, at worst, failed miserably. The Frontex patrol system needs to be looked into and overhauled to make it more effective than it has been.
The government has the full backing of the opposition on this issue – it is one of the few matters on which the two sides work hand in hand. Yet all its efforts to make the international community aware that Malta – being so small and densely populated, and with so many financial constraints – cannot sustain the regular large influx of immigrants have not been heard. Or else they have been ignored.
And it seems that matters are getting worse, not better. If it was only a one-year situation, Malta would have been able to handle it well, but since the problem has been growing year after year with no end in sight, then it is only fair that this country gets all the international support it can.
It is not enough for a few countries to accept to take a handful of immigrants. Of course, every nation has its own immigration problems, but at the same time it must be realised that the pressure this problem has brought about on Malta’s resources is far greater than that which other countries have to face.