Government Establishes New Standards for Distribution of Unaccompanied Foreign Minors in Crisis Situations
In response to the escalating situation of unaccompanied foreign minors in the Canary Islands, the government has set new standards for the distribution of 4,400 children. This decision was reached during a meeting in Madrid on Thursday between Spain’s Minister for Youth and Children, Ione Belarra, and the Presidents of the Canary Islands and the Basque Country, Fernando Clavijo. The move comes as the number of unaccompanied minors in the Canary Islands continues to rise.
The government emphasized that all autonomous communities must come together with unity and stability to care for these children. However, it was also noted that some communities, particularly Catalonia and the Basque Country, may need to take on fewer minors based on the existing number of children under their care.
Clavijo stated that the new standardized system would allow communities that have previously accepted more children to now take on fewer, with the aim of protecting the rights of the minors and ensuring proper utilization of resources in each region. It was agreed between the President of the Canary Islands, the Minister for Youth and Children, that the government would cover 100% of all financial expenses until the children reach the age of 18.
Furthermore, next week, Finance Minister Maria Jesus Montero and Clavijo will finalize more financial details, which the government has assured is not a contentious issue. The current situation in Catalonia and the Basque Country, where approximately 6,734 and 790 children are present, respectively, has also been taken into consideration. Discussions are ongoing regarding the situation in other autonomous communities where an increase in the number of children is being observed.
Despite this, some political parties, notably the Popular Party, have expressed concerns and doubts regarding this distribution, fearing that burdening Catalonia and the Basque Country with fewer responsibilities could lead to imbalances in other regions.
These developments come as the government engages in discussions with Catalonia and the Basque Country to address their specific challenges and establish a balanced system. To move forward on this issue, the government will need to consult with all autonomous communities to ensure that any potential issues are effectively addressed.
