LAS PALMAS DE GRAN CANARIA, 29 Aug. (EUROPA PRESS) –

The Councillor for Social Welfare, Equality, Youth, Childhood, and Families of the Canary Islands Government, Candelaria Delgado, has described the migration contingency declaration in the islands, announced by the Ministry of Youth and Childhood this Friday, as a “historic step” for the autonomous community and for Spain.

She made these remarks in a statement released to the media, in which she added that both the definitive approval last Tuesday of the Royal Decree establishing the ordinary capacity of each Autonomous Community and the decision to implement the migration contingency “means that, for the first time, the Canary Islands will have a legal and stable basis for the equitable distribution of unaccompanied migrant minors throughout the national territory.”

At this point, she emphasised that this will help alleviate the longstanding pressure on the archipelago and will represent “a significant advancement not only for the islands but for the entire country as a whole.”

“The archipelago has demonstrated its capacity for reception and its humanity over the years, but we needed support to address a situation of collapse that had become unsustainable for both the Canarians and the minors themselves, which could no longer be managed alone,” she noted.

Furthermore, the Councillor highlighted that the newly adopted mechanism will help decongest the reception resources in the islands and ensure dignified, humane, and quality care for the minors arriving in the Canary Islands.

CALL FOR SOLIDARITY FROM AUTONOMOUS COMMUNITIES

On another note, Delgado called for solidarity from the autonomous communities and stressed the necessity of “having a coordinated and supportive response, where all autonomous regions share the responsibility, considering that all children must be cared for as they have the same rights, regardless of where they live.”

In conclusion, she reminded that “the protection of children is a priority, and their interests must always be placed above any other consideration, especially in cases where minors arrive alone and in situations of extreme vulnerability.”