Italy

Country Overview

Situated at Europe’s southern shores, Italy is the primary port of arrival for refugees and migrants aiming to reach Europe via the Central Mediterranean Sea route. Since the early 2000s, hundreds of thousands of refugees and migrants have made the dangerous crossing, with many fleeing dire humanitarian conditions in Libya or transiting through Tunisia. Among the refugees and migrants are unaccompanied and separated children, who face particular challenges, both during the journey and once they reach Italy.

While the humanitarian needs of individuals arriving are severe, information on their needs, experiences en route and prospects for future remain scarce. This lack of understanding means that policy responses to people moving in mixed migration flows in Italy are affected by the lack of up to date information risking an effective response to individuals’ needs in accordance to their rights.

REACH has been present in Italy since 2016 providing local response actors and policymakers with up-to-date data and analysis on the profiles, conditions and trends of migration towards Italy.

Outspoken but Unheard: how diasporas in Europe shape migration along Mediterranean Sea Route

The relation between refugees and migrants in mixed migration flows along the Central Mediterranean Sea route and the diaspora in Europe remains poorly understood. The present study challenges existing perceptions of the interaction between those who aspire to travel and those who have already made the difficult journey by exploring the reality of the relationship as reported by migrants and refugees themselves.

Conflict in Ukraine: The one-year milestone

February 24, 2023

Conflict in Ukraine: The one-year milestone

Today marks one year since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, an event which has triggered a humanitarian crisis of immense scale. The conflict has caused widespread forced displacement, including more than 5.3 million people reported to be displaced from their homes inside Ukraine, and over 8 million refugees recorded across Europe – nearly one-third of […]

February 6, 2023

UKRAINE CRISIS

FIRST 100 DAYS OF THE UKRAINE WAR As conflict in Ukraine continues, the gravity of the humanitarian situation is clear. People in areas directly affected by conflict are in immediate need of life-saving support, lacking food, energy, utilities, and facing a breakdown in the provision of basic services. They also face the risk of […]

Navigating winter in Ukraine: A look at the Cold Spot Risk Assessment

January 31, 2023

Navigating winter in Ukraine: A look at the Cold Spot Risk Assessment

While more than 7 million Ukrainians have left the country since the start of the conflict, those left in Ukraine are in the midst of a harsh winter, facing extreme cold conditions. As temperatures continue to stay below zero in most parts of the country, any functioning infrastructure is crucial to get Ukrainians through the […]

Famine projected in three areas of Bay Region, alongside calls for urgent scale-up of aid

September 7, 2022

Famine projected in three areas of Bay Region, alongside calls for urgent scale-up of aid

What is happening? Watch our 2-minute explainer on the current drought crisis This week’s “multi-partner technical release” from the IPC After several weeks of analysis and deliberation, the IPC released a famine projection for Baidoa and Buur Hakaba on 5 September. According to the technical release, agropastoral populations in these two districts as well […]

Three key ways global decision-makers can support humanitarian workers in delivering on AAP

August 19, 2022

Three key ways global decision-makers can support humanitarian workers in delivering on AAP

Each year, 19 August marks World Humanitarian Day (WHD), designated by the UN General Assembly seven years ago as a day to commemorate aid workers, to advocate for their continued safety and security when deployed in fragile contexts, and to advocate for action in support of the millions of crisis-affected people around the world. WHD […]

Putting people first: understanding their needs to go beyond the top-down approach to accountability

July 21, 2022

Putting people first: understanding their needs to go beyond the top-down approach to accountability

Six years after commitments were made to put ‘people at the centre’ of humanitarian action, the assistance given to people in crisis is not always what they want or need. Despite the ambitions, in practice there has been a consistent lack of practical and holistic understanding of the priorities of affected communities to adapt approaches […]

Collecting key data on markets to support cash and voucher assistance

April 14, 2022

Collecting key data on markets to support cash and voucher assistance

In collaboration with national cash working groups, UN agencies, implementing partners, and donors, REACH works globally and nationally to address core information gaps in cash and voucher assistance (CVA) and provide evidence to support more effective Cash & Voucher interventions.