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 their perilous journey from the coast of Libya the previous night, seeking refuge from the dire conditions and unrest in their home countries.
Notably, this marked the eighth time that an MSF-operated vessel has sought refuge in a port in Liguria, with over 900 migrants having been rescued and brought to the region. However, despite the humanitarian efforts, MSF has expressed deep concerns over the recurrent practice of disembarking rescued migrants in distant ports. The organization highlights the inefficiency and increased suffering inflicted on these vulnerable individuals due to such decisions.
To accommodate the rescued migrants, the Red Cross swiftly established a hosting facility for the 129 individuals who remained on board the Geo Barents after its stop in Civitavecchia. However, MSF has criticized the Italian authorities’ decision to order the migrants’ disembarkation in two distant ports. Such directives not only prolong transit times but also hinder the vessel’s availability for further rescue missions in the Central Mediterranean, exacerbating the ongoing crisis.
Monica Minardi, president of MSF Italia, condemned this policy, emphasizing its detrimental impact on the survivors and urging for a prioritization of humanity in rescue operations. As the Geo Barents continues its crucial missions in the Mediterranean Sea, the need for coordinated and compassionate responses to the migrant crisis remains paramount.