Spain boosts humanitarian support for Ceuta migrants with new funding

Spain's Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration has approved an extraordinary funding package of nearly €6.5 million to strengthen humanitarian assistance and reception services for migrants in the autonomous city of Ceuta, as authorities respond to mounting pressure on the enclave's reception facilities.

The ministry said the additional funding will reinforce existing reception mechanisms and ensure the continued provision of social and healthcare services for migrants staying at the Temporary Immigrant Reception Centre (CETI) and in surrounding areas, with particular attention given to those considered most vulnerable, Europa Press reports.

As part of broader efforts to expand the reception network, the ministry announced that the capacity of Ceuta's CETI has been increased by 72 places. The expansion was carried out with the support of Spain's Ministry of the Interior and Ministry of Defence, which supplied equipment from the Las Raíces Reception Centre in Tenerife.

The ministry also said it has partnered with the Spanish Red Cross to provide social and healthcare assistance to migrants gathered on nearby beaches and around the CETI facility. The humanitarian response includes the distribution of food kits and other essential support.

Spanish Minister of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration Elma Saiz was scheduled to participate remotely on August 6 in a coordination meeting on the humanitarian response at the Government Delegation in Ceuta, alongside Secretary of State for Migration Pilar Cancela.

The ministry said it has been closely monitoring developments in Ceuta and has remained in continuous coordination with the Government of the Autonomous City, the Government Delegation in Ceuta, the Ministry of the Interior, and other relevant authorities since the situation began.

According to the ministry, the coordinated response is intended to ensure that humanitarian assistance remains effective while addressing the growing needs of migrants in the Spanish enclave.

By Vafa Guliyeva