Spain's Minister of Integration, Social Security and Migration, Elma Saiz, announced measures to create 1500 temporary accommodation spots in Ceuta during her visit to the city to monitor the migration crisis. She emphasized the critical importance of cooperation between various administrative bodies for the swift restoration of normal conditions in Ceuta.
The new facilities will be organized at the parking lot of the Loma del Colmenar reception center, in the equestrian center, on the former cavalry barracks football field, and in the area known as El Guano.
Elma Saiz arrived in Ceuta on Sunday evening. During her visit, she met with the president of the autonomous city, Juan Jesús Vivás, and the delegate of the Spanish government, Miguel Ángel Pérez Triano, where she was greeted with cheers.
Saiz recalled that her ministry had previously declared a state of emergency in Ceuta and allocated 6.5 million euros to strengthen humanitarian response in the Spanish enclave located in northern Morocco. The Red Cross has been given a priority role in assisting the most vulnerable people.
According to Saiz, the international organization distributes about 4000 food parcels daily and has already provided over 4000 social and medical assistance services since the beginning of the crisis. The minister also noted the contribution of other social organizations and residents' associations participating in helping migrants.
The government official defended the idea that the Spanish accommodation system is 'flexible,' explaining the creation of new temporary spaces as an adaptation of existing resources to the increased number of arrivals.
In response to questions about the overcrowding of the Temporary Immigrant Stay Center (CETI) and the thousands of migrants on Trampolín beach, the minister stated that the government is 'assessing' the situation but did not provide updated data on the occupancy rate of these sites.
Furthermore, when asked whether migrants arriving in Ceuta would be housed or deported, the minister assured that Madrid is acting 'in strict compliance with current national and European legislation.'
Saiz also stated that the executive branch, led by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, advocates for 'regular, orderly, and above all, safe' migration, viewing illegal immigration as a 'humanitarian tragedy' capable of causing loss of life.
The minister highly praised the reaction of the Ceuta population, calling it a 'model of coexistence,' but warned against attempts to use the migration crisis to spread 'hate speech' and create fear.
Over the weekend, hundreds of migrants attempting to enter the Spanish enclave of Ceuta by land and sea were detained by Moroccan security forces, according to Moroccan state television. According to the state channel Medi 1 TV, 294 sub-Saharan African migrants were detained on Saturday while attempting to enter Ceuta. Additionally, authorities detained 61 Moroccans accused of facilitating migration attempts, according to Medi 1 TV.
These border crossing attempts occurred following social media posts calling on migrants to head to Ceuta. In response, Moroccan and Spanish authorities increased security and restricted movement towards the region.
At the end of July, approximately 72,000 people entered the autonomous city of Ceuta, located in North Africa, within 24 hours, of which 70,000 returned to Morocco, according to Spanish authorities. Official figures indicate the death of at least 90 people on both sides of the border, although human rights groups report higher figures.
Ceuta, a small region with a population of 80,000, bordered by the Strait of Gibraltar, is one of two land borders between Africa and Europe, alongside the other Spanish enclave of Melilla.