The Spanish Government approved a "shock plan" of 309 million euros for Ceuta, equivalent to 16% of the city's annual gross domestic product, to respond to the migration and humanitarian crisis and its impact on the local economy. The announcement was made by the First Vice-President of the Government and Minister of the Economy, Carlos Cuerpo, at the end of the Council of Ministers that approved this measure.
The plan provides 90 million euros for reinforced security in the Spanish enclave in North Africa, with more human resources from the police and armed forces. Another 118 million will be allocated to the extraordinary humanitarian reception needs of thousands of migrants, including more than 1,200 unaccompanied minors, and 80 million for support to businesses and workers through direct aid and tax benefits.
More than 70,000 people entered Ceuta illegally on July 30 and 31, with the majority voluntarily leaving for the Moroccan side of the border. At least 5,000 people currently remain in the city and activity drops of between 30% and 60% have been recorded across the various economic sectors in the last month. The city had only 500 to 600 temporary reception places before the crisis, with more than 3,600 new places having been created, with the goal of reaching 6,000 in the coming weeks. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the majority of people still in Ceuta will likely be returned to Morocco as they do not meet the conditions for obtaining asylum.
