Italian coastguard praised by UNICEF for rescuing migrants, refugees

The Italian coast guard was named new Goodwill Ambassador of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) on Tuesday, as recognition for its efforts in rescuing thousands of minor migrants and refugees.

In a ceremony held here in the afternoon, President of Italy's National Committee for UNICEF Giacomo Guerrera said the coast guard was worth such appointment because "it represents the spirit of solidarity that should guide all those who care about the fate of the children in the world."

Italy's coast guard carries out daily rescue operations, and coordinates all missions in the central Mediterranean involving naval forces from various European Union (EU) countries, humanitarian groups, and from the EUNAVFOR Operation Sophia.

"This UNICEF designation fills with pride all of our 11,000 women and men," Coastguard Admiral Vincenzo Melone said at the ceremony.

"It is proof of the commitment of our staff in a highly dramatic scenario such as the central Mediterranean."

A cooperation agreement to strengthen support activities to unaccompanied minor migrants was also recently signed between UNICEF-Italy and the coast guard, officials said.

The deal would allow UNICEF pedagogues and cultural mediators to be embedded on board of three coast guard naval vessels during rescue operations.

According to the UN agency, this would help "ensure an adequate support in contexts related to psychological and legal assistance to unaccompanied minors from the very beginning."

Child friendly spaces for small children will be set up on board of the three selected vessels, UNICEF added. Endit