Pre-fabricated homes to replace tents at Hal Far village

Works are currently underway at the Hal Far village tent to replace existing tents with 64 new pre-fabricated homes. The project was 80% financed by the European Refugee Fund for emergency measures.

The homes will all be set up in three weeks' time.

Home Affairs Minister Carm Mifsud Bonnici said that European Home Affairs Commissioner Cecilia Malmström had understood the problem faced by Malta with regards to irregular immigration and had approved of increasing the funds allocated to Malta.

A total of 100 pre-fabricated homes, costing €889,992 excluding furniture, were bought. The rest, 36, will be in reserve at the Safi barracks.

Currently there are approximately 300 refugees at the village tent. At times, these numbers had also reached the 700/800 mark. A ministry's spokesperson said that each home would accommodate six persons "comfortably".

The spokesman also said that the pre-fabricated homes will give a better living to the immigrants, with a more hygienic environment, while also saving on money which used to be spent on tents.

Previously there were a total of 45 tents. The majority used to be replaced every eight months, each tent costing an average of $500 each.

The tender for the shipping and construction of pre-fabricated homes was awarded to Vassallo Builders following a public call was issued.

The village tent currently also hosts a number of pre-fabricated homes which had been passed on from Italy's civil protection. The homes were used by Italy in cases of earthquake disasters.