The president of the Las Palmas Port Authority, Beatriz Calzada, stated this Wednesday that she hopes that no more tents will have to be installed on the Los Mármoles dock in Lanzarote for the initial care of unaccompanied minor immigrants arriving in boats and that the one that has already been placed can be removed as soon as possible.
In statements made on the occasion of the environmental monitoring program of the Infrastructure Master Plan, Calzada indicated that they will be used if necessary and that "ideally it should be something very temporary" and for initial care until they can be housed in better conditions.
Calzada is confident that no more will have to be installed, which will depend on the needs and also on the autonomous communities reaching an agreement for the distribution of minor immigrants under the guardianship of the Government of the Canary Islands.
"Hopefully no more will have to be put up and the one that has been installed can be removed today", so that these minors receive the treatment they deserve, she added.
The placement of this first tent is due to a social emergency situation declared in Lanzarote due to the lack of centers for the reception of minors, she stressed, while emphasizing that "the Canary Islands are at the limit" due to the high number under its guardianship, more than 5,500, a situation that "no one disputes".
She insisted that "administrations cannot stand idly by and must collaborate".
She recalled that the Department of Social Welfare of the Government of the Canary Islands requested the Port Authority for a space to install one or more tents on the Los Mármoles dock for the initial care of unaccompanied minors arriving in boats, to whom "dignified treatment must be given according to their age".
Likewise, she said that the most suitable space was sought in the area where the Red Cross has been located for years to welcome immigrants arriving in boats, since it does not interfere with port and maritime operations and the safety of people is guaranteed.
Calzada pointed out that the ports are "limited by space", but it will depend on the needs if it is necessary to place more.
