Emergency Operation for Badalona Migrants Ends

The Department of Social Rights announced yesterday that the emergency protocol established for the B9 building in Badalona is now complete. This protocol was activated immediately following the clearance of the occupied property, which housed a large population of immigrants. The decision marks the transition from an emergency response phase to a standard administrative status, despite ongoing needs in the area.

The timing of this announcement coincides with the one-week mark since the police operation took place. That operation resulted in the displacement of hundreds of individuals who were previously residing in the building. The conclusion of the emergency measure signals that the Generalitat considers the immediate crisis management phase to be over.

Following the eviction, the Barcelonès Nord area witnessed a significant displacement of people. Hundreds of sub-Saharan migrants were scattered, leading to the formation of new, makeshift settlements and attempts to occupy other vacant properties. The lack of permanent housing solutions has forced many to seek shelter in precarious conditions across the municipality.

The most prominent of these locations is the camp established under the autopista C-31. This specific settlement has become the focal point of the current crisis. It remains active primarily because a segment of the evicted population has refused the reallocation plans offered by the administration. The persistence of this camp highlights the difficulties in finding immediate housing solutions for all affected individuals.

Social organizations have reacted to the end of the emergency operation with concern. They are explicitly calling on the Generalitat not to withdraw support or attention from the remaining encampment. These groups argue that declaring the operation concluded does not equate to resolving the underlying issues facing the migrant population.

According to these entities, there is still a significant amount of work to be done. They emphasize the need for continued assistance and long-term strategies to house and support the immigrants currently living under the highway bridge. The focus remains on preventing the situation from deteriorating further as the winter season approaches.

The situation in Badalona remains a complex issue involving the intersection of housing policy, migration, and social services. While the Department of Social Rights has formally closed the emergency chapter regarding the B9 building eviction, the physical reality for over a hundred migrants tells a different story. The continued presence of the camp under the C-31 bridge serves as a visible reminder of the unresolved needs.

As the Generalitat moves forward, the pressure from social entities will likely increase to find permanent solutions for those refusing the current relocation offers. The conclusion of the emergency operation is a procedural step, but the humanitarian challenge in Badalona persists.