UN Agencies Call For Saving Lives, After Yet Another Mediterranean Tragedy
Fahad Shabbir (@FahadShabbir) Published August 11, 2023 | 10:48 PM
Three UN agencies have appealed for greater access to safe and regular pathways for migration and asylum in the European Union after another deadly shipwreck claimed dozens of lives in the Mediterranean
UNITED NATIONS, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Aug, 2023 ) :Three UN agencies have appealed for greater access to safe and regular pathways for migration and asylum in the European Union after another deadly shipwreck claimed dozens of lives in the Mediterranean.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM); the UN refugee agency, UNCHR; and the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) also called for coordinated search and rescue mechanisms.
The tragedy occurred between Thursday (August 3) and Friday (August 4), and to date, only four survivors have been rescued � all by a merchant vessel.
The survivors, brought to Lampedusa by the Italian Coast Guard, reported that they were among a group of 45 people, of whom 41 remain missing, including three children.
IOM, UNHCR and UNICEF are present in Lampedusa to support the authorities in both the disembarkation and initial reception phases to ensure that people seeking international protection can apply for it and that those with special needs are promptly identified.
The numbers add to the growing death toll of shipwrecks in the Central Mediterranean.
In June, a major tragedy occurred when an overloaded boat sank off the Greek coast where 700 people, including Pakistanis, were killed, According to IOM's Missing Migrants Project, more than 1,800 people have been reported dead or missing along the Central Mediterranean route so far in 2023.
This route accounts for more than 75 per cent of the victims in the entire Mediterranean over the past 10 years.
The ill-fated vessel � an iron barge � had embarked from Sfax, Tunisia, but its journey was cut short by the unforgiving waves.
Dangerous weather conditions make crossings in iron vessels particularly perilous, the UN agencies said.
Such tragedies also highlight smugglers' total disregard for the lives of migrants and refugees making these journeys, the UN agencies added, noting that only a few days ago, a pregnant mother and a child lost their lives off Lampedusa.
Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, called for better management of migration and refugee flows.
In a post on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, he urged action to address the root causes, responses in transit countries, trafficking and safe routes, for those on the move.
But tragedies like the Mediterranean shipwreck will happen again unless states invest more in organized, coordinated rescue at sea, he said.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Electric bikes for students: Over 72applications received
PSL Commissioner Naila Bhatti steps down
5th Women T-20I: Pakistan to face West Indies today
Pakistan confirm South Africa tour details
Ranbir Kapoor showers praise on beauty of Mahira Khan
ICube Qamar: Pakistan successfully launches first lunar mission
Deputy PM Dar calls for OIC's joint action to confront rising Islamophobia
Bus Plunge in Chilas Claims 20 Lives
Pakistan to launch first lunar orbit mission 'ICUBE-Qamar' today
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 3 May 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 03 May 2024
Dar for joint action to counter Islamophobia in context of Israeli aggression ag ..
More Stories From World
-
Blasts kill nine in camp for displaced in east DR Congo
9 minutes ago -
Little hope of Ukraine breakthrough during Xi France visit: observers
19 minutes ago -
Man City's Foden wins football writers' award
20 minutes ago -
Germany, Czech Republic accuse Russia of cyberattacks
29 minutes ago -
Free press imperative for strengthening democracy, democratic values: KP CM
1 hour ago -
Champion Sabalenka sets up Swiatek rematch in Madrid Open final
2 hours ago
-
Serbia marks one year since deadly school shooting
2 hours ago -
Germany blames Russia for 'intolerable' cyberattack
2 hours ago -
China launches Chang'e 6 lunar probe
2 hours ago -
Global stocks rise, London hits new record
2 hours ago -
Champion Sabalenka sets up Swiatek rematch in Madrid Open final
2 hours ago -
Pakistan's historic lunar mission (ICUBE-Q) launched from Hainan, China
2 hours ago