Spain Seeks EU Emergency Funds for Ceuta Crisis After 70,000 Migrants Crossed

3 articles · Updated · Al Jazeera English · Aug 25

A formal Spanish request for EU emergency funding reached the European Commission on Monday, with Brussels saying it is assessing the aid bid as a priority for a swift decision.
More than 70,000 would-be migrants surged toward Ceuta from Morocco in late July, a crisis that killed at least 90 people and left Spain struggling to manage the enclave.
Between 3,500 and 7,000 people — 5% to 10% of those who crossed — remain in Ceuta, including unaccompanied children who cannot be deported.
Spain's cabinet approved a single command for Ceuta led by Territorial Policy Minister Angel Victor Torres to speed identification, returns and repatriations while maintaining aid for asylum seekers and minors.
Ceuta and Melilla are the EU's only land borders with Africa, making the Ceuta influx a test of external-border management as Spain and the bloc coordinate their response.