Brussels, 19/09/2006 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday, the Commission decided to allocate €3.28 million to co-finance six specific emergency measures in Spain, Malta and Italy, countries that are greatly affected by the massive inflow of illegal immigrants from Africa. “Funding for six ARGO emergency projects is an immediate and practical demonstration of EU solidarity that is part of an overall strategy”, Commissioner Franco Frattini states in a press release. Three of the six projects, scheduled to last four months, will be implemented by Spain, two by Malta and one by Italy. Two of the three Spanish projects aim to strengthen local first aid and reception structures for illegal immigrants in the Canary Islands. Since January this year, 23,000 illegal migrants have disembarked on the Spanish coasts, with 5,000 arriving during the month of August alone. The third Spanish project involves continuing maritime surveillance in order to prevent illegal immigration from Mauritania. The Maltese projects also cover strengthened maritime surveillance and search and rescue in the waters around Malta, as well as improvements in the reception and living conditions in centres for illegal immigrants. The Italian project, located on the island of Lampedusa, consists in boosting the resources for immediate assistance to illegal immigrants when they land on the island and building up the Italian authorities' reception facilities. Nearly 3,000 persons have lost their lives in illegal attempts to reach European shores this summer.