Refugee Case Study Libyan refugees to Italy 2011 Causes of Migration: Push factors: The current issue in Libya

that the citizens face is the revolt against their corrupt government. After 40 years, the people finally decided that enough was enough and rebelled against Gaddafi and his colleagues. The Libyan uprising has led to war, violence and high crime rates so people want to rehabilitise for their own benefit and safety. Gaddafi is fighting back with an army killing innocent protestors who are only fighting for their rights. The war and unrest forces people to move for their own safety, people were driven away by fear. People want to protect their families and feel the only way to escape the chaos is by migration. Pull factors: Although Greece is actually closer to Libya than Italy, Italy offers a high availability of jobs and suitable lifestyle. Migrants benefit from a higher standards of living. Italy has beneficial political systems and schemes such as financial benefits. Unlike Libya, the country is politically stable and it also has a strong economy which can offer financial help and supplies for the refugees. The small island of Lampedusa just off Italy is very nearby and easily accessible for migrants, so many travel there as it is a major entry point to Europe. Intervening Obstacles: Migration Officials refuse to let certain people through since they and the EU have to control immigration numbers and pass through security checks because they come from unstable countries. Italy and Libya had organised an interception of boatloads of illegal migrants by the Libyan navy and coastal guards with Gaddafi but he threatened to cease the process if European countries oppose him in the Libyan Uprising. Impact of Migration: On receiving country:Italy finds it hard to maintain migrant numbers so they try to divert them elsewhere; into other parts of Italy and Europe. They have asked for assistance from other European countries to help. Italy believes it should not be coping with this on their own. Italy is suffering a humanitarian emergency with the rising numbers of migrants that are constantly arriving. There is currently an increase in population and overcrowding of migrants and therefore unable to offer enough essentials for everyone. Furthermore, there is pressure on health and education services that find it difficult to cater for everyone. After asking for 100 million Euros from the European Union, Italy wants them to not only manage the flow of migrants but also provide them shelter, etc. There are not only 15000 Libyan migrants that have arrived in the last few weeks, trying to escape from the escalating war, about 4,500 Tunisian migrants and Egyptian migrants had already migrated to Lampedusa. Most were sent back because they have not been granted refugee status or subject to asylum. They were asylum seekers and not in a humanitarian crisis since there are no wars there. Italy has become responsible for the migrants in their country. They rescued 38 Tunisians by fishing boat on the violent Mediterranean Sea a month ago. Italy has had to send migrants on the Island of Lampedusa to other parts of Italy with holding centres but many still remain (approx 5000). Many refugees in Lampedusa are in refugee camps with little space and salinity, causing health concerns. The locals have become upset with the overcrowding of migrants on their island and communication between them is tough. Locals believe they are using up a high proportion of their resources which are limited to begin with and pose health issues in their densely populated camps. Tourism here is affected due to increase in migrants. The tourist industry is the main source of their economy. High tourist season is approaching and feared to be damaged. And so Italy has provided compensation for Lampedusa to rebuild economy. Italy now has a larger work force because of the large number of incoming migrants (who are willing to do low paid jobs) and more highly skilled workers. The GNP will increase and leads to the multiplier effect. There are cultural differences which provide diversity in the country but also racial disputes and hostility. Because of this they may not be able to practise their own religion. Italy is a strong catholic country but many of the Libyans are Muslim. There may be a shortage of mosques and places/things that belong to their culture.

On the losing country: There is a reduction in death toll of Libya, since they have migrated to safer areas. However there is now a lack of highly skilled important workers such as doctors who have migrated elsewhere, who are of great importance at times like now. Libya has lost many people who are economically active in addition to people of child bearing age, so there is a decrease in the birth rate. Fewer citizens in Libya means they have a less man power in the war and revolt, which leaves them at a disadvantage. There is a high elderly population left but money can be sent back as remittances from Italy. A shortage of workers also means the GNP decreases. There is less pressure on housing and health services and less unemployment.