Spain has opened new temporary shelters in its North African enclave of Ceuta as authorities seek to ease a growing humanitarian crisis involving thousands of migrants stranded in the territory.
The Spanish National Police and Civil Guard launched a large-scale operation at El Trampolín beach on Thursday to voluntarily relocate migrants to reception centres established in army tents.
The government said the temporary facilities were initially designed to accommodate about 1,800 migrants, with capacity expected to increase as additional shelters are completed.
The migrants are among thousands, including unaccompanied minors, who remain in Ceuta after about 72,000 people crossed Spain’s border with Morocco at the end of July. Authorities say roughly 70,000 have since returned, while those remaining are struggling to access food, clean water, shelter and sanitation.
Many migrants have spent the past three weeks sleeping on streets and beaches, prompting non-governmental organisations to warn that women and girls are particularly vulnerable.
At El Trampolín beach, some migrants have built makeshift shelters using branches and discarded materials to protect themselves from high daytime temperatures and cold nights.
The emergency accommodation plan was developed in cooperation with local non-profit organisations as authorities attempt to respond to the unprecedented influx.
Since the mass arrival began, local leaders and neighbourhood groups have raised concerns about migrants’ living conditions, while some Ceuta residents have complained about insecurity, sanitation problems and the impact of people sleeping on streets on local businesses.
The situation has also triggered a political dispute in Spain, with the left-wing central government facing pressure from regions controlled by the conservative Popular Party and the far-right Vox party over how to manage the migrants and address the humanitarian crisis.
