75 migrants who were allowed to disembark in Tunisia after nearly three weeks on board the commercial ship Maridive 601 are being helped to return to their countries of origin. The migrants from Bangladesh, Egypt, Morocco and Sudan were rescued on May 31 off the coast of Libya but were only permitted to land in Tunisia on Tuesday.
Thousands of people lost in crossing the Central Mediterranean have not been identified. New figures from the UN migration agency, IOM, show that remains of more than two thirds of those whose deaths have been recorded have never been recovered.
The situation remains stalled for 75 migrants aboard a tugboat off the Tunisian coast of Zarzis, while the vessel waits for authorization to enter the port. The Bangladeshi ambassador to Libya is reportedly working to convince 64 Bangladeshis to accept voluntary repatriation.
Germany has extended its deportation halt on Syrians for the rest of the year. However, deportations of Afghans will continue.
In Tripoli, a group of migrants who were being held in the Zintan detention center have been relocated to a UN facility awaiting evacuation from Libya. There are still concerns for more than 5,000 detainees suffering ‘dire’ conditions.
Morocco says it has reduced irregular migrant departures to Europe. This comes after Spain and Morocco boosted joint efforts to curtail migration. Still, Spain has called for more EU aid to help Morocco tackle migration. NGOs have criticized Morocco's treatment of migrants.
The UN agency for migration has reported that at least 519 migrants have died in the Mediterranean since the start of 2019. Over half of the victims died between the coasts of Italy and Malta. Meanwhile, Greece has become the top destination for migrants.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) assisted in the voluntary repatriation of a first group of migrants who survived shipwrecks off the coast of Tunisia between May 10 and May 12, as part of an assisted voluntary return program.
How do you keep unaccompanied children in the UK safe from trafficking? That was the question addressed by a pilot project from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) which concluded recently.
The European Union has decided to commit an additional 18 million euros to its joint initiative with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in the Horn of Africa. The initiative aims at improving assistance to migrants along the migrant routes that depart from the region.
After spending seven years in Spain, Issa went back to live in his village in Senegal. He told InfoMigrants that many people who are headed to Europe underestimate how hard life can be for migrants.
The UN agency for migration IOM has opened a new recreational center for minors in Niger to support families and help the reintegration of children returnees.