The images of the refugees that came from the other side of the Mediterranean, and locked in these days in the stations of Rome and Milan and the border with France, have not only provoked reactions of rejection. Instead Sant'Egidio, on the eve of World Refugee Day, informs that in these days the offer of aid directed to the Community has multiplied, both with new volunteers at reception centres and with contribution of food, clothes and other basic necessities.

In Rome, in addition to the mobilisation of the Community in all the districts already in the past affected by the arrival of refugees, as Ponte Mammolo, many requests for help have arrived to foreigners that are removed from Tiburtina station. So much so that from tomorrow a new collection point will be opened in the scout centre of via Sant'Ippolito 15, 500 meters from the Baobab reception centre, to receive the gifts brought by the families of Rome and organise the reception. Each evening, also, from 19 to 21, animation is organised for children.

In Milan, Sant'Egidio is present in the Bastions of Porta Venezia and the Central Station, where new aid has arrived for the Eritreans transiting the city waiting to reach their destinations in Northern Europe, just like foreigners stranded at this time in Ventimiglia would like to do.

In Catania, solidarity around the community has surprisingly grown, with news that may surprise only those that have not known closely those that reach our shores: many refugees, now more than 70, who came from the South of the world a few months ago, are currently volunteers together with Italians going to find lonely elderly, children in need and the homeless, as well as giving a valuable hand to welcome those that continue to arrive in Italy at this time. These are just a few examples of an Italy that is not resigned to the deterioration of social relations and that makes, of what many call "emergency", an opportunity for solidarity, free but very efficient in the face of so many shortcomings indicated by the institutions.