The Government of Spain declares emergency for the care of people of Spanish origin evacuated from Lebanon

People of Spanish origin evacuated from Lebanon upon their arrival in Spain on October 9

Through the Directorate General for Spanish Citizenship Abroad and Return Policies, the State Secretariat for Migration will allocate €1.5 million to assist Spanish nationals and their families evacuated from Lebanon who lack resources and/or are in a situation of vulnerability. It will do so by virtue of the emergency declaration signed by the Secretary of State for Migration, Pilar Cancela, which authorises the emergency contracting of accommodation and all the services linked to its management and transport, and the acquisition of the necessary goods to allow for the adequate provision of humanitarian aid.

On the basis of this programme, which is similar to the one set up almost a year ago with Spanish citizens and their families from Gaza, the Directorate General has taken in a total of 74 people, although it is not ruled out that this figure could be increased in the near future, as was the case last week.

The Directorate General for Spanish Citizenship Abroad and Return Policies has taken charge of these evacuees by virtue of the mechanism promoted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the participation of the Ministry of Defence as the competent body for the social integration of returned Spanish citizens. In this case, the aid is aimed at people who, having arrived in Spain, do not have a place of residence that can serve as a territorial basis for regional and local competences in the field of social assistance.

Gaza programme

The Directorate General for Spanish Citizenship Abroad and Return Policies has also extended until 31 December the emergency declaration signed by the Secretary of State for Migration on 12 January of this year to assist Spanish nationals from Gaza who lack resources. A total of 97 of the initial 119 people have so far been assisted, who are still in a situation of special vulnerability.

To this effect, and charged to this declaration, which will involve a disbursement of over €567.15 billion by the Secretary of State for Migration, these families will be assisted during the months of 2024. The Directorate General and Accem team are also working individually with each family unit to seek resources to guarantee basic needs, where necessary, beyond 31 December.

Non official translation