Hilfsaktion in Como - Together Human

Italy, February 2017

In Como we helped the team of Father Don Giusto with material and financial support to overcome the difficult situation. His team is providing for hundreds of refugees, mainly from African countries. Since the Swiss border is closed to many people and there are regular illegal deportations by the border guards, many people have been stranded in Como. Their care is often poor and their most important concern is the call for open borders.

On the spot one can experience what the term "stranded" means for refugees. Many of them have been in Italy for years, waiting for papers, are not allowed to work and feel useless. Many of them already have a very good command of the Italian language, which shows how willing they are to learn. Instead of becoming productive members of society, they sit around all day and get bored. The Italian state is overwhelmed with the high number of refugees, Switzerland lets only a few in or through the country. The fact that an illegal practice is used by the border guard corps is not something we ourselves have observed, but we have heard from many people independently of each other (refugees and local helpers). Actually, the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) has to examine an asylum application. The SEM can reject or approve this application. The rejection of people who wish to apply for asylum by the Border Guard Corps is not a legal practice under Swiss asylum law. One of Don Giusto's helpers told us that this has happened frequently in recent months.

With our aid delivery of about 200-300 kg of clothing and knitwear , we were once again able to donate physical and emotional warmth. For 368 CHF we made a big grocery purchase on site and supported the team of Don Giusto with a cash donation von 2000.- Euro unterstützt. Dieses Geld wird er vor allem für die Suche nach mehr Wohnraum investieren. Unsere Gruppe wurde von einem TV-Team von RSI begleitet, das einen super Bericht über unseren Einsatz drehte und mithalf, auf die unhaltbare Situation an der Grenze aufmerksam zu machen.

We are pleased to have contributed to the important work of Don Gusto and his helpers from Italy and Switzerland. Don Gusto was recently awarded a human rights prize for his great commitment. Congratulations!