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The Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) reports increasing levels of suffering and misery on migration routes across the Balkans and the Mediterranean.
The Red Cross operates hundreds of aid centers for migrants and refugees in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Slovenia, where it provides, among other things, food and drinks, hygiene items and medicines.
Ezekiel Simperingham, head of migration and displacement services management at the Red Cross, said there was “unimaginable suffering and avoidable deaths” along this and other migrant routes, where the Red Cross has observed deteriorating conditions in recent months.
“All States must adopt a coordinated, inclusive and non-discriminatory approach to ensure that migrants receive the humanitarian assistance they need,” he said, calling on the governments of transit countries to improve and coordinate their relief efforts.
“We cannot ignore the tragedy of the missing,” Simperingham added, pointing out that many deaths on migrant routes are not even reported or recorded.
Over the past year, the number of migrants crossing the Balkans in the hope of reaching the European Union has increased dramatically – despite a reports of violence against migrants and illegal pushbacks underway throughout the region.
Learn more: Why has the Balkan migrant route become more active again?
The Red Cross in the Mediterranean
In the Mediterranean, Red Cross workers say they have also observed a change in the overall situation. In collaboration with the humanitarian organization SOS Méditerranée, they have saved the lives of thousands of people over the years.
As recently as Thursday, they helped save the lives of 29 people found floating in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea on a small boat, said Sara Mancinelli, who coordinates Red Cross operations at sea.
She also highlighted the importance of the Red Cross’ contributions at sea, including helping with food, medical care and psychological support.
Mancinelli added that some of the migrants were so distraught by what they had witnessed during their journey that they were unable to speak, adding that some had clear signs of torture on their bodies, especially those coming from Libya like last country of transit.
Learn more: European Parliament approves emergency migration plan
Libya remains a dead spot on human rights
A Newly released report by the UN Human Rights Council on the rights situation in the country, said last month that there was “reason to believe that a wide range of war crimes and crimes against humanity” were committed by security forces and armed militias, particularly targeting migrants.
The report stated that there was reason to believe that sexual slavery against migrants was commonplace in what is supposed to be government-run detention centers.
Investigators behind the report also accused the European Union of supporting the Libyan coast guard, saying they contributed to crimes against migrants. Other organizations like Human Rights Watch have also raised similar concerns.
According to the IOM, there were nearly 700,000 migrants of at least 42 nationalities in Libya at the end of last year.
Learn more: So far, an EU operation has saved more than 1,200 lives in the Mediterranean in April
with dpa
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