Thousands Still Dying at Sea En Route to Europe

Somali refugees on the Tunisian desert. Credit: IPSBy Tharanga YakupitiyageUNITED NATIONS, Jan 15 2018 (IPS)Amid concerns that 160 people may have drowned while attempting to cross the Mediterranean this week alone, the UN refugee agency have urged countries to offer more resettlement places. Though the influx of refugees and migrants has slowed, many are still embarking on dangerous journeys to Europe.“[We] have been advocating for a comprehensive approach to address movements of migrants and refugees who embark on perilous journeys across the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean,” said spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) William Spindler.On Monday, the Italian coastguard picked up 60 survivors and recovered eight corpses. Up to 50, including 15 women and 6 children, are feared to have drowned.Most recently on Wednesday, an inflatable boat carrying 100 refugees sank off the coast of Libya. Libya is among the major countries of departure for refugees.Approximately 227,000 refugees are estimated to be in need of resettlement in 15 priority countries of asylum and transit along the Central Mediterranean route.Despite appealing for just 40,000 resettlement places last year, UNHCR has thus far received 13,000 offers of resettlement places.“Most of these are part of regular established global resettlement programmes and only a few represent additional places,” Spindler said.After stories of migrants being sold at an auction and being...
Source: IPS Inter Press Service - Health - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Tags: Armed Conflicts Crime & Justice Featured Gender Gender Violence Global Headlines Health Human Rights Humanitarian Emergencies Migration & Refugees TerraViva United Nations Women's Health Source Type: news