Author: RACHAEL ADEEGBE

Tragedy struck as a 40-year-old Pakistani migrant perished during a perilous journey to Lampedusa, Italy, succumbing to a reported heart attack. The victim was among 46 migrants rescued off the Sicilian island on Friday, March 8 2024, after departing from Zuwara, Libya, two days earlier. According to a relative traveling with him, the Pakistani migrant suffered a heart attack during the arduous crossing. However, a subsequent medical examination conducted by authorities in Agrigento found no signs of violence or foul play. The deceased had paid between 4,000 and 6,000 euros for the hazardous voyage, highlighting the exorbitant costs migrants are…

The Cyprus coast guard has rescued a total of 458 migrants on six boats originating from Lebanon, including unaccompanied minors, with most hailing from Syria or Lebanon. Within the past 24 hours, all migrants were safely rescued, as confirmed by a police spokesman to Cypriot media on Tuesday.Reportedly, nearly 460 individuals were crammed onto six boats and rescued off Cape Greco, a small peninsula in southeastern Cyprus on March 11, as per the Cyprus News Agency. The Cyprus Port and Maritime Police conducted the rescue operation, highlighting the overwhelming numbers involved. Notably, one boat carried an astonishing 283 individuals, including…

The Geo Barents, a vital migrant rescue vessel operated by Doctors Without Borders (MSF), successfully concluded its latest mission by arriving in the bustling port city of Genoa on Monday, March 11, with 129 rescued migrants aboard. Among the passengers were vulnerable women, men, and young children, some of whom had been previously offloaded in Civitavecchia, Lazio, before the vessel’s final docking. This mission followed a dramatic rescue operation conducted by the Geo Barents on March 7, where it rescued a staggering 261 people from two severely overcrowded wooden boats. The survivors, hailing from 12 different nationalities, had embarked on…

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has sounded the alarm on a dire humanitarian situation in Mozambique Cabo Delgado Province, where more than 110,000 people have been displaced since December 22 due to escalating violence perpetrated by non-state armed groups. This surge in displacement marks the second-largest wave since the conflict began in 2017, underscoring the deepening crisis in the region. Communities in Cabo Delgado are reeling from relentless attacks, with affected individuals forced to flee their homes under harrowing circumstances. The testimony of Carlota, a displaced woman, reflects the widespread fear and desperation gripping the region as families abandon…

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and Direct Relief, a humanitarian aid organization, have forged a collaboration agreement aimed at providing essential medicines, medical supplies, and healthcare assistance to migrants and their host communities during times of crisis. The partnership, formalized on March 1, marks a significant milestone in enhancing emergency health response capabilities for crisis-affected populations. The collaboration has already yielded tangible results, with the delivery of a fully equipped field hospital on February 29 to support the health services provided by the Jordanian Royal Medical Services in Gaza. This invaluable contribution includes 50 beds, 38 tents, essential medical…

The United Kingdom has struck a £1 million (1.17 million euros) deal with Libya aimed at combating irregular migration arrivals into Europe by deterring migrants from crossing the Mediterranean Sea and facilitating their voluntary repatriation to their countries of origin. The announcement came after Michael Tomlinson, Britain’s Home Office Minister, concluded a visit to Tripoli last week with representatives from the European Union, the United Nations, France, Germany, and Malta. Tomlinson is the first UK home office minister to visit the North African country in decades. Tomlinson stated that the funding, amounting to £1 million, will not only support survivors…

Italy’s migrant detention centers, also known as CPRs (Centri di Permanenza per il Rimpatrio), have long been criticized by human rights organizations for their notoriously inhumane conditions and alleged human rights violations. These centers, designed as temporary holding facilities for migrants whose asylum applications have been rejected or for foreigners facing expulsion for criminal or other reasons, have been at the center of controversies and protests. The recent tragic death of 19-year-old Ousmane Sylla, a Guinean migrant who allegedly took his own life at the Ponte Galeria detention center in Rome, has reignited calls for the closure of these facilities.…

In a remarkable humanitarian effort, a flight carrying 97 refugees touched down in Rome on March 5th 2024. These individuals had been rescued and evacuated from Libyan detention centers, where they had endured harrowing abuse and torture. The 97 refugees hailed from various regions, including Africa, Palestine, and Syria. Their time in the Libyan detention facilities had subjected them to extreme mistreatment, leaving some in critical health conditions. The successful transfer of these refugees was made possible through an agreement inked last December by a coalition of Italian religious, cultural, and political organizations. This collective effort aimed to provide assistance…

In the Mediterranean, the Italian coast guard conducted an urgent airlift operation to evacuate four critically ill migrants from the rescue ship Sea-Watch 5. The evacuation took place seven hours after a devastating incident where a 17-year-old boy lost his life on board the vessel. The four men, hailing from Ethiopia and Eritrea, were rescued earlier on the same day from an overcrowded wooden boat in the waters off the coast of Tunisia. Alongside approximately 50 other migrants, they were airlifted by helicopter late Wednesday to the island of Lampedusa. Despite the efforts of volunteer medical staff on the Sea-Watch…

In a significant development, the federal states of Germany have formally requested Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s government to explore the possibility of outsourcing the country’s asylum process to transit countries or third parties, taking inspiration from Italy’s Albania plan. The states have set a deadline of June 20 for the government to provide detailed information on the feasibility and implications of such a move. While the request does not explicitly mention any specific cases, the regional leaders have emphasized the need for Chancellor Scholz to furnish the required information before the next Conference of the Regional Presidents, scheduled for June 20.…