Italian Coastguard Rescue Over 400 Refugees In Mediterranean Sea

Over 400 migrants were rescued in the Mediterranean Sea last Saturday, according to the Italian Coast Guard. The refugees, most of whom were from Gambia, Senegal and Nigeria, were picked up off the Libyan Coast by the Italian Coast Guard. Despite the success of the operation, it is clear that the refugee crisis is only intensifying.

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) reported that, as of April 26th, a total 43,490 refugees have travelled to Europe by boat this year. Of this number, 1073 have died or are currently reported missing. However, due to many unaccompanied minors’ deaths going unreported, UNICEF warns the real number could be higher.

Crossing the Mediterranean via the Libyan Coast is a common route for North African and Middle Eastern migrants. In each of the past three years, 150,000 refugees have attempted to reach Europe through the Libyan crossing. With harsh weather and poor conditions at sea, the coastline is notoriously treacherous. So treacherous, in fact, that some refugees embarking on the crossing write phone numbers on their life jackets, in the hopes that their loved ones can be contacted in the event of their death.

Amidst the threat of severe weather conditions, many refugees and migrants are also captured by armed groups and people smugglers when passing through the Libyan Coast.  Such groups attempt to extort money by kidnapping refugees and holding them for ransom. According to the IOM, other migrants are sold as slaves or otherwise left to die if they cannot afford to pay their captors.

The escalating crisis has prompted international intervention, most notably by non-government organisations (NGO’s). In providing rescue ships, medical staff, and supplies, these organisations have assisted rescue operations on the Mediterranean. The European Union has also taken measures to reduce the flow of African migrants to Europe by offering $215 million to the Libyan government. This combined action serves to prevent boats entering Libya’s waters.

On a domestic level, Rome recently agreed to supply the Italian Coast Guard with an additional ten new boats and has committed millions of euros into funding further rescue operations. While Italy signed an agreement in February to reduce boat crossings in the Central Mediterranean, the agreement has since been suspended by the Tripoli Justice Ministry.

Despite the measures already taken to limit refugees traveling to Europe by sea, both the European Union and the international community will need to step up efforts if the current migration crisis is to be resolved.

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