With regard to what the newspaper Libero has reported today in the article “Closed Borders. Conte and Di Maio leave Italians stranded abroad”, it is specified that the action of the Foreign Ministry and of its entire network abroad to encourage the return of compatriots has been, and remains, incessant. Since the beginning of the very serious global pandemic situation, the Foreign Ministry – through the Crisis Unit, Embassies and Consulates – has mobilised in an unprecedented operation, which has allowed 60 thousand compatriots to return home safe and sound from all over the world with more than 420 commercial flights, as an exception to the ordinary schedule and other types of connections.
In relation to the cases mentioned in the article, the following is noted. There are over 2,500 compatriots who were temporarily in Brazil and who have successfully returned to Italy. Today, the over 100 Italian young people who were stranded in Florida are departing from Orlando on a special flight organised in connection with Neos. In Morocco, although local authorities have suspended air and sea connections with foreign countries, five flights and a special sea connection have already been organised.
All the compatriots from South Africa who have requested it have already returned to Italy with special flights, while the government continues to work to ensure the return, from Madagascar, of the 35 compatriots who wish to do so and who have not taken advantage of the opportunities provided in the previous days. In Thailand, in addition to timely information on available commercial flights, a special flight has been made available to compatriots, in addition to the special flights organized by European partners. The necessary assistance was also provided to bring back the Italians who were in Laos. Thanks to our intervention, Qatar Airways has decided to keep the routes from Australia to Italy open.
The Crisis Unit receives around 5,000 phone calls and 1,500 e-mails every day, and thousands of requests for assistance reach Embassies and Consulates around the world. While using “agile” working, we have continued to provide assistance to our compatriots. Therefore, at such a delicate time, having to respond to incorrect statements is very unpleasant. The Foreign Ministry will continue to provide all possible assistance to Italians stranded abroad, who are in emergency conditions and facing unforeseen difficulties.
