The scheduled repatriation of 57 Ukrainian orphans from Bergamo, Italy, to the orphanages in Berdyansk, Ukraine, was suspended on 14 August 2024 due to serious concerns about the children’s safety. These children, aged between 6 and 16, have been in Italy since March 2022 after fleeing the ongoing war in Ukraine.
In late June, the Ukrainian government, via its consulate in Italy, requested the return of these children. However, this proposal was met with strong opposition from international organizations such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Additionally, the legal guardians of 34 of the children filed applications for international protection, arguing that returning the orphans to a war zone would pose significant risks to their safety and well-being.
This is not the first time that the government has made such as request, as back in August 2023, the Ukrainian government demanded the repatriation of older orphans.
This repatriation was originally scheduled for August 16, but the Bergamo police forces intervened, halting the process for at least two weeks. The Italian Juvenile Court of Brescia, which had previously green-lighted this repatriation, revoked their earlier decree. The court highlighted that the safety and well-being of the children, many of whom are receiving medical treatment, must be prioritized.
UNHCR spokesperson Filippo Ungaro welcomed this suspension, underscoring the dangers of returning vulnerable children to a conflict zone.
“We are happy – he told Adnkronos – that the repatriation has been blocked, even if temporarily, for now I think it is important to consider the vulnerabilities of these girls and boys and their protection needs, given that they would be returning to a country that is still at war”, he said.
For now, the orphans will remain in the reception facilities of Rota Imagna, Pontida, and Bedulita in the province of Bergamo.
