National harmony is imperative, not just an option, as asserted by Anwar.

Meet Victor Fernando Meza, a Peruvian worker struggling to afford rent in Spain's capital. With no roof over his head, he spends his nights at Barajas Airport, the country's bustling fifth-busiest airport and a shelter for countless homeless souls.

Under the scorching May sun, Meza arrives at the airport before 9 PM – just in time to slide past security. Late entries are now a no-go, thanks to a new policy instituted a week ago aiming to deter the hundreds of homeless people taking shelter there. The heat is on, and so are the eyes of the authorities.

The measure is a response to the growing number of homeless individuals creating makeshift homes in the airport, a spectacle that has captured public attention and sparked a blame game among government officials. Those who call Barajas home see the increased scrutiny as unwelcome, fearing they might lose this nation's safest refuge compared to the perilous streets or the jam-packed metro where homeless shelters have limited capacity.

"We just want to be left alone," Meza says to AFP. "To be treated like people, not animals."

He pins the problem on Aena, the state-owned company managing Spanish airports, labeling their response to the humanitarian crisis a fiasco that's repeated itself in other popular tourist destinations such as Barcelona, Gran Canaria, Malaga, Palma de Mallorca, and Tenerife.

Aena disputes allegations, maintaining that their facilities were never intended to serve as living quarters for hundreds of individuals. Every day, Meza strains to make ends meet, juggling odd jobs, but housing prices have soared, and social housing is scarce in the capital.

The airport's security guards know who causes trouble, but Meza (and others like him) believe they should be the ones getting kicked out, not the entire population.

The city's average monthly rent for a 60-square-meter apartment has nearly doubled to 1,300 euros (US$1,415) from around 690 euros a decade ago. The constant whispers and stares from passersby are a constant reminder of their lower social status. Meza plans to return to Peru when he turns 50, hoping for a fresh start.

Zow, a 62-year-old construction worker from Mali, spends his nights at Barcelona's airport, sharing the same bitter battle with the disapproving stares.

As the blame game continues between city and regional governments, Madrileño authorities point fingers at the central government, while the latter contends responsibility lies with the city council. The city insists that most individuals are foreigners and should fall under Spain's international protection system.

A census conducted by a religious organization revealed that over 420 individuals were homeless at the airport in March, with most being men, half having slept there for over six months, and 38 percent stating they had jobs. To better understand the situation and provide potential solutions, both sides have agreed to employ a consultancy to count and profile those sleeping at the airport.

But Meza and others are cynical. "We don't want help. We don't want anything. We just don't want to be bothered," he says. - AFP

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Behind the Scenes: Addressing Homelessness in Airports

Policies and Challenges

Lack of Comprehensive Solutions: The solutions necessitate a multi-faceted approach, embracing not just airport management but also social services and housing support for the homeless.
Bureaucratic Hurdles: Aena, the airport operator, lacks the legal authority to evict individuals, complicating efforts to resolve the issue.
Coordination and Responsibility: The issue is being addressed through coordination among the city council, regional governments, and the central government. Each entity bears responsibility for a distinct area, such as caring for vulnerable populations, social assistance, health policies, and public safety.

Proposed Solutions

Improved Collaboration: To tackle the issue effectively, there is a growing call for greater cooperation among local, regional, and national authorities in providing adequate housing, mental health support, and employment opportunities.
Addressing the Root Causes: Solutions must target the underlying causes, such as soaring rent prices and economic inequality, to prevent homelessness from recurring.
The ongoing crisis at Barajas Airport, serving as a shelter for homeless individuals, has sparked debates among various levels of the Spanish government, with the central and regional authorities playing a game of blame, especially considering the airport's problem is part of a broader issue affecting other popular tourist destinations.
Aena, the state-owned company managing Spanish airports, maintains that their facilities are not intended for housing large numbers of homeless people, and they dispute the allegations that their response to the humanitarian crisis has been inadequate or a fiasco.
Amidst the growing number of homeless individuals taking refuge in airports and the ensuing public attention, experts suggest a multi-faceted approach that includes improved collaboration between local, regional, and national authorities, addressing the root causes such as economic inequality, and providing adequate housing, mental health support, and employment opportunities.