More than 2,500 people have been killed or reported missing after trying to cross the Mediterranean to Europe since the beginning of this year, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said at the Security Council on Thursday.
“As of September 24, more than 2,500 people were reported dead or missing in 2023 alone. This number represents an increase of two-thirds, compared to 1,680 people in the same period in 2022.”said Ruven Menikdiwela, director of the UNHCR office in New York, at a Security Council meeting convened by Russia.
Menikdiwela reiterated UNHCR’s calls for the establishment of a regional disembarkation and redistribution mechanism for refugees and migrants coming to Europe by sea, “in a spirit of sharing responsibilities and solidarity with frontline states”.
UNHCR estimates that between January and August this year, more than 102,000 refugees and migrants attempted to cross the Central Mediterranean into Europe from Tunisia – a 260% increase compared to last year – and more than 45,000 from Libya.
In addition, 31,000 people were rescued at sea or intercepted and disembarked in Tunisia, and 10,600 in Libya.
“Departures from Algeria remain limited, with almost 4,700 arrivals in Spain in August 2023, an increase of 18% compared to 2022. In addition, a total of 3,700 people were rescued or intercepted by Algerian authorities during the same period, an increase of 68% .”the UNHCR emphasized.
In total, approximately 186,000 people arrived by sea in Southern Europe (Italy, Greece, Spain, Cyprus and Malta) from January to 24 September, with the majority (over 130,000 people) arriving in Italy, an increase of 83% compared to the same period in 2022.
Ruven Menikdiwela also warned that lives are also being lost on the land, away from public attention.
“The journey from West or East Africa and the Horn of Africa to Libya and then to the coastal starting points remains one of the most dangerous in the world”he emphasized.
Source: DN
