UNHCR evacuates hundreds of vulnerable refugees out of Libya to safety. Amid violent clashes and a deteriorating security situation in Tripoli, 149 vulnerable refugees and asylum-seekers were evacuated to safety in Rome on 30 May. Many of the evacuees need medical treatment and are suffering from malnourishment. The group was moved from UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency’s Gathering and Departure Facility (GDF), after surviving months in dire conditions inside detention centres in other parts of the city. The evacuation was carried out in collaboration with Libyan and Italian authorities.

Amid hostilities in Libya, 146 refugees evacuated to Italy. 146 refugees were evacuated today from Libya to Italy in a joint operation between UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and Italian and Libyan authorities. Italy is the first country to have stepped forward to receive evacuees from Libya since the recent violence began. The evacuation was carried out in collaboration with the Libyan Ministry of Interior.

Refugees and migrants attempting to reach Europe via the Mediterranean Sea lost their lives at an alarming rate in 2018, as cuts in search and rescue operations reinforced its position as the world’s deadliest sea crossing. The latest ‘Desperate Journeys’ report, released today by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, says six lives were lost on average every day. An estimated 2,275 died or went missing crossing the Mediterranean in 2018, despite a major drop in the number of arrivals reaching European shores. In total, 139,300 refugees and migrants arrived in Europe, the lowest number in five years.

UNHCR welcomes Malta disembarkation of Sea Watch and Sea Eye passengers, calls for better, predictable approach

UNHCR calls on Romanian EU Presidency to unite EU countries in stronger and fairer response for refugees

UNHCR urges Greece to accelerate emergency measures to address conditions on Samos and Lesvos. Greek authorities must take urgent steps to address the humanitarian situation for around 11,000 asylum-seekers on the islands of Samos and Lesvos. Conditions in the Reception and Identification Centers (RICs) on the two islands are abhorrent.

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency is relieved that the remaining rescued persons on board the Italian coast guard vessel ‘Diciotti’ have now disembarked. UNHCR commends those countries and organisations that have shown solidarity and given tangible assistance. Established and predictable arrangements in the Mediterranean region for the disembarkation of people rescued at sea is strongly encouraged.

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency is appealing to European Union member States urgently to offer relocation places to some 150 rescued persons who remain on board the Italian coast guard vessel ‘Diciotti’. The boat has been docked in Italy in the Sicilian port of Catania since 20th August – the majority of those on board are reportedly from refugee producing countries.

On 15 August, UNHCR applauded the decision by the Government of Malta to permit the disembarkation of 141 asylum-seekers and migrants rescued on the Central Mediterranean by an NGO boat, the Aquarius. We also commend those European countries who have come forward to offer relocation places for rescued passengers post-disembarkation. The situation of the Aquarius and in particular this standoff has again highlighted the need for a Mediterranean regional arrangement that provides clarity and predictability on where boats carrying rescued passengers can dock.

More than 1,500 refugees and migrants have lost their lives attempting to cross the Mediterranean in the first seven months of this year. The bleak milestone was confirmed after more than 850 lives were lost in June and July alone, marking the Mediterranean crossing as the deadliest sea route in the world.