More migrants from North and Sub-Saharan Africa are crossing over to Italy and Malta, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugee (UNHCR) announced on Friday.
At the weekly media briefing in Geneva, UNHCR spokesman, Adrian Edwards, gave 8,400 as the number that crossed the Mediterranean to the two countries within the first six months of 2013.
He lamented that in 2012 alone, no fewer than 15,000 migrants sought asylum in Italy and Malta while about 500 died at the sea thus, unable to get to their desired destinations.
According to him, the UN agency has so far recorded some 40 deaths in the first six months of 2013 by people attempting to cross the Mediterranean between North Africa and Italy.
The number, was said to be based on interviews conducted with people who reached Europe using boats.
Edwards spoke further, “UNHCR estimates that approximately 8,400 migrants and asylum-seekers landed on the coasts of Italy and Malta in the first six months of this year. The majority arrived in Italy (7,800), while Malta received around 600 migrants and asylum-seekers.
“Those making this journey mostly departed from North Africa, principally Libya (around 6,700 people). The remaining 1,700 crossed from Greece and Turkey, landing in southern Italy’s Apulia and Calabria regions.
“Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa are the main places of origin of these migrants and asylum-seekers, particularly Somalia and Eritrea. Other countries of origin include Egypt, Pakistan and Syria. Nationals of Gambia, Mali and Afghanistan also make these crossings, but in smaller numbers.
“The Mediterranean is one of the busiest seaways in the world, as well as a dangerous sea frontier for migrants and asylum seekers en route to southern Europe. In view of the perils UNHCR again calls on all vessels at sea to be on alert for migrants and refugees in need of rescue”.
The UNHCR spokesman also said, “We also renew our call to all shipmasters in the Mediterranean to remain vigilant and to carry out their duty of rescuing vessels in distress. International and European law also requires states to ensure that people intercepted or rescued at sea who seek asylum can gain access to territory and to an asylum procedure where their international protection needs or claims can be examined.
“The peak crossing period for migrants and asylum-seekers runs from May to September. At this time of year when there is an increase in the number of people trying to make this perilous journey it is essential to ensure that the long-established tradition of rescue at sea is upheld by all and that international maritime law is adhered to.
“For 2012 as a whole, some 15,000 migrants and asylum-seekers reached Italy and Malta (13,200 and 1,800 respectively) by sea. The number arriving in the first six months of 2012 was 4,500 (3,500 in Italy and 1,000 in Malta).
“In 2012, almost 500 people were reported dead or missing at sea. The decrease in deaths so far in 2013 is thanks in part to the efforts of the Italian and Maltese authorities, in particular the Italian coastguard and the Maltese armed forces, in effectively coordinating rescue at sea. UNHCR also welcomes the on-going efforts by the authorities in Italy, Malta and Libya to rescue boats in distress in the Mediterranean, and calls on all states to continue to fulfil their obligations under international refugee law and law of the sea”.
