Italy, which receives the most migrant arrivals in the European Union, is partially outsourcing the challenge from today, as it opens the first of two planned camps in neighbouring Albania.

Migrants will only start to arrive at the camps once both are open and operational.

The centres will be used to house up to 3000 migrants per month rescued en route to Italy as part of Europe’s first “offshoring” scheme, while the continent grapples with how to respond to the challenge of irregular migration.

The camp that opens today is located in the northern Albanian port of Shengjin. The opening of a second centre, on a former air force base in nearby Gjader, has been delayed.

The structures will be entirely managed by the Italian government, which paid for their construction.

They will be used for migrants picked up in international waters – though not women, children, or those deemed vulnerable.

Once there, they will be allowed to request asylum in Italy. If refused, they will be sent back to countries deemed safe to return.

Read more