Nchekwa njem emegharịrị ọhụrụ n'ihi COVID na Italy

The new “Viaggiare Sicuri” (Safe Travel) website” with renewed graphics and a more flexible homepage was presented in Rome by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Italian Cooperation, Luigi Di Maio.

Innovative services

The minister stressed they dedicated the new website to those who travel abroad for tourism and work reasons. “In the past two years, international mobility has undergone widespread and prolonged restrictions because of the unprecedented health emergency in our memory.

“I would like to remind all that in the first phase of COVID, the Farnesina (The Ministry of Foreign Affairs) facilitated the return of 112,000 Italians from 121 countries with almost 1,200 repatriation operations with an enormous effort. At that stage faced with the many requests, they thought it of a renewal of its services, which we present today,” said the minister.

Renewed culture of travel safety

The minister recalled that the network of embassies and consular offices has 226 offices in the world, is among the most widespread when compared to the main partners, and has been an unparalleled resource both during the pandemic and in any other delicate circumstance, as in the current situation due to the war conflict in Ukraine.

“In the first half of this year, the Crisis Unit has published and updated 1,900 news items on the Viaggiare Sicuri (safe travel) website and has carried out 80 emergency interventions,” said the minister.

Following the war in Ukraine, 1,000 compatriots were assisted in serious emergency conditions. This commitment is destined to grow in the summer, while we are gradually witnessing the recovery of international tourism which is added to that of business trips and mobility.

Italy has also decreased restrictions, but this does not mean the absence of risks.

“In a global context, every trip can present a risk, even trivial ones that can affect those who travel unprepared. If it is not possible to avoid any risk, however, it is necessary to be informed, prepared, and responsible travelers. Therefore, we want to promote a renewed culture of travel safety accompanied by adequate and necessary empowerment of the traveler himself,” the minister added.

Services for the traveler

The Crisis Unit provides travelers with three services: the Viaggiare Sicuri portal thanks to a renewed project carried out with Noovole and Tim; Where we are n'ụwa, where travelers can indicate their location; and the Crisis Unit app which integrates both services. “We want,” concluded Di Maio, “that the culture of safety while traveling becomes as widespread as possible.”

In addition, the Rai (Italian Radio & TV) networks will broadcast an institutional communication campaign of the public utility with an exceptional testimonial by Alberto Angela who, free of charge, will explain the usefulness of the site to his compatriots.

Overseas offices will work daily to provide Italian citizens with functional services and act quickly in emergencies. The services of the Crisis Unit will be accessible through the IO app.