Afghan refugee camp in Avezzano, Italy

A refugee camp for Afghan citizens who fled Kabul in recent days has been set up in Avezzano, Italy, on August 27, 2021. "There are about 3,300 Afghan citizens currently in Italy, welcomed in various structures found by the Ministry of Defense or by regional structures" says Pier Francesco Di Milito of the National Department of Civil Protection "Here in Avezzano there is one of these structures where at the moment about 500 Afghan citizens are hosted. It is a temporary situation ”. The preparation of the camp, in addition to the army and the Civil Protection, also sees the active role of the Red Cross. “They are certainly tired, very tired. We can only marginally imagine what they are feeling ”says Gabriele Perfetti, Regional President of the Abruzzo Red Cross“ Many of them have to separate from affections and friendships, others have already lost these affections. We take care of them from this moment on, here and now, and we try to mend and heal those wounds that many of them will probably carry forever ”. Before being transferred to other accommodations and entering a protection program, as many are political refugees, Afghan citizens must spend a week in quarantine in facilities like these. "Vaccines and health screenings have begun to understand the health conditions of these people" continues Pier Francesco Di Milito, National Department of Civil Protection "It is a transitory moment, but important because it opens up to these health aspects". Clothes hanging out to dry at the barriers that delimit the field, some children play football while continuing with the preparation of the camp. "We must intervene and try to alleviate their suffering" concludes Gabriele Perfetti, Regional President of the Abruzzo Red Cross "We must create a place that can give a minimum of hospitality, make them refresh and rest so that they can find a minimum of serenity".