The Italian Island With More Refugees Than It Can Handle

Revolutions Refugees (2011): The Italian island of Lampedusa has seen its population double since the Arab Spring, and many of its inhabitants are unhappy... For more information and downloads visit: http://www.journeyman.tv/61685/short-... There are few Europeans who wouldn't support the push for democracy in the Arab world. Yet for the people of Lampedusa, it means they are having to cope with the full impact of the North African refugee crisis. Men are crowded onto the little boat as the coastguard approaches. It is just one of many on its way to Lampedusa. "We were scared, we took a lot of risks", says Radhouane as he shows us the little rusted boat he came in. He, like many others, says he left Tunisia despite the revolution, "there is no hope". Yet while the Lampedusians try to be supportive and house the growing number of refugees, fear has taken over. "It's not prejudice, I am scared because we are being outnumbered", one local says. As refugees pour in, the tiny island has seen its population double. With their tourist industry in jeopardy and the Italian mainland struggling to relieve the strain, the situation is becoming critical. A Film By SBS Dateline: Ref. 5098 Distributed By Journeyman Pictures Journeyman Pictures is your independent source for the world's most powerful films, exploring the burning issues of today. We represent stories from the world's top producers, with brand new content coming in all the time. On our channel you'll find outstanding and controversial journalism covering any global subject you can imagine wanting to know about.