In 2002, almost 1,500 illegal immigrants reached our shores, starting the phenomenon as we know it today. These arrivals, on their own steam or after being rescued from almost certain death by the Armed Forces of Malta, saw a considerable drop in 2003 yet only to rise again significantly to an average of 1,750 per annum up to last year.

With a mere one and a half months to go before the closure of what is commonly termed as "the immigrants' season", the arrivals have already exceeded last year's total influx by a staggering 45 per cent. reaching the 2,350 mark a few days ago. The AFM are estimated to have rescued or brought safely into port about 2,000 of them, the rest either made it to shore on their own or were intercepted by an AFM patrol vessel. Added to these, about 1,100 migrants were closely monitored by the AFM en route to Sicily as they sailed past the Maltese coastline.

Nearly half of the migrants arriving in Malta this year were Somali, the others hailing from Sudan or from western African countries such as the Ivory Coast, Nigeria and Niger.

The Maltese military is no doubt affected in no small way by these figures: Apart from maritime border control duties, the AFM also conducts search and rescue (SAR) operations. Indeed, it is estimated that about 75 per cent of the AFM's total effort is focused on illegal migration. The Maritime Squadron offshore crews are evidently being kept oncall for the greater part of the year and, surely, were it not for their dedication and commitment to duty, the problem would be much bigger.

Given its size and geographical location, Malta must be the EU member state that is suffering the most from this phenomenon. Alas, not all EU member states are convinced that the illegal migration problem is also affecting them and will be affecting them even more in the future.

In addition, notwithstanding its efforts, the sea patrols by Frontex have not had the desired effect, mainly because of insufficient support by certain EU member states and the lack of cooperation from North African countries. While the AFM has already shown solidarity with other EU member states in securing their borders, Malta has not been so lucky.

Apart from seaborne operations, the AFM also remains burdened with the immigrants' accommodation while in detention, varying from three to 18 months. There are over 2,000 migrants in two AFM barracks, and another 70 are kept in a police compound. The Illegal Immigrants Detention Service, set up in August 2005, consists of about 90 AFM officers and soldiers, about 20 policemen and a growing number of casual detention service officers (mostly retired ex-AFM soldiers and policemen). One hopes and augurs that, as quickly as possible, all soldiers and policemen within this section are replaced by more casual employees.

There is, of course, other behind-the-scenes work that the AFM and the police do in this regard.

So it is not just military brawn but also brains that are employed and all this must be appreciated, mainly by the powers that be which are increasingly looking impotent in front of this growing problem. It is best for them to take a tough, decisive stand now before things get completely out of hand.