Formentera boat arrivals top 3,000

Formentera, in the Balearic Islands, faces more than 3,000 boat arrivals this year: nearly 250 of those who arrived are minors, adding to pressure on child protection services across the islands. The island has around 12,000 inhabitants. Manuel Pavón, the Balearic government’s director general for immigration and development cooperation, gave the figures to a Spanish Senate committee on Tuesday, 29 September, and called for a response tailored to the islands.

Europa Press

Child care costs outstrip state funding

Island councils across the Balearics now care for more than 900 unaccompanied foreign minors. Their regular care network has around 80 places, Pavón said. The councils expect costs of between €36 million and €38 million; the central government has allocated €8 million.

The two sides also disagree over transfers of minors to the islands. In June, the central government raised the Balearics’ designated regular reception capacity from 406 to 434 places. The Balearic government has challenged the two decrees setting that capacity and seven proposed transfers from Melilla and the Canary Islands in court.

Arrivals across the islands pass 6,100

By 15 September, 5,627 people had arrived in the Balearics aboard 303 boats. Pavón said the total has since passed 6,100, including 541 arrivals between 21 and 25 September.

He wants more resources and a specific strategy for the route between Algeria and the Balearics. Balearic president Marga Prohens plans to ask European institutions for more support when she visits Brussels in October.

Formentera boat arrivals top 3,000; care under strain

Child care costs outstrip state funding

Arrivals across the islands pass 6,100