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 their future remains scarce. This lack of understanding means that policy responses to people moving in mixed migration flows towards and within Italy are affected by the lack of up to date information risking an effective response to individuals’ needs in accordance to their rights.

IMPACT has been present in Italy through REACH 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.

Related News

Country news / 21 November 2019

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...

Country news / 16 October 2017

Migration: Investigating decision-making, migration trajectories and expectations of young people on the way to Italy

“In 2014, I began to think about leaving. The militias came home every month asking for money. I paid until I could [not pay anymore]. I had so many relatives...

Organisation updates / 4 April 2025

Stage en mémoire d’Antonin Girardi

L’ONG IMPACT Initiatives, en association avec l’École Normale Supérieure Paris-Saclay (ENS Paris-Saclay), annoncent la quatrième edition du stage en mémoire d’Antonin Girardi, normalien à l’ENS Paris-Saclay entre 2015 et 2019,...