Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiPhoto: Darrin Zammit Lupi

There is no doubt that migration has been around for thousands of years. For myriad reasons, people seek pastures new. The problem is then faced by the host country.

It is easy to criticise any country that imposes a limit, or even decides to stop migration completely, but the critics do not seem to be ready to help directly and put their words in action.

I feel the organisations showing interest in this matter should offer concrete solutions and alternative host localities.

For whatever reason migrants leave their home country, they are still human beings and must be treated as such. Having said this, history is full of episodes about migrants being mistreated and turned away.

Our Maltese ancestors had also suffered in this regard. Many had migrated to North Africa but eventually were exiled.

One of the worse episodes was the 1940/2 incarceration in concentration camps and the exile of the Maltese in Tripoli by the Italian masters. This is an episode very few are aware of.

There could be many reasons why the host country would be averse to welcome thousands of new settlers.

What annoys me is the criticism by the ‘holier-than-though’ groups who want to censure others without themselves offering any concrete and financial help. They are no better than arrogant backseat drivers.

These groups have to offer alternative ways, helping the countries of origin to achieve better economic stability, highlight the dangers of extremism, promote birth control and also suggest new areas to welcome such migrants.

This problem involves the whole world.

The migrants themselves must give up their old archaic and obsolete way of living and learn about modern cultures as, otherwise, they will carry the reasons of their poverty with them wherever they go.

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