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Italian region requests more refugees settle with them
Basilicata, a beacon of hope in an otherwise hopeless Europe.
The southern Italian region of Basilicata has broken the anti-migrant trend we see across Europe. Sitting on the countries heel, the stunning region has asked for more migrants to settle in their lands.
Their reaction to Europe's on-going migrant crisis bucks the trend of most regions, welcoming news to many, I'm sure.
Last year the region responded to their government's plea to accept 1,000 migrants by welcoming double that - whilst many other regions, especially in the north, were keen to limit that number.
Basilicata's governor, Marcello Pittella said 'We are ready to welcome them with open arms'.
Recently the region has asked to be sent more refugees, wanting to provide homes for a further 1,000 refugees. So why is Basilicata so keen for the refugees to move to their region?
Well despite being one of Italy's most beautiful regions, in the 1950s thousands of people moved away from the area for a range of reasons. The mass movement of people saw entire towns and hamlets abandoned. Basilicata see this as an opportunity to repopulate the many ghost towns dotted across the hills.
So far the refugees have helped revitalise the area, so it's easy to understand why the region's governor, Marcello Pittella is so keen to 'welcome them with open arms and integrate them by spreading them out'.
It makes for the perfect solution for thousands of refugees who need shelter in the fast approaching winter. Europe, take note...
