A survey by the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights (FTDES) highlighted that the main reason Tunisian migrants leave disadvantaged neighborhoods is in order to provide financial support for the family. Those who leave residential neighborhoods, on the other hand, are more likely to depart due to the desire to buy a home and improve their living conditions.
At least 11 migrants are thought to have died when their boat sank off the coast of Tunisia on Sunday. The migrants, believed to be from Africa, were among about 30 people on board. So far, the bodies of eight women and three children have been recovered.
Morroco's coastguard said that it intercepted 231 migrants at sea earlier in the week. They were reportedly all coming from sub-Saharan Africa.
Tunisia has announced that it has made available naval units, surveillance devices, and search teams at Mediterranean crossing points to counter irregular migrant departures. The Italian government has said that the move was a result of pressure applied by Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio.
The Italian government announced Tuesday that repatriation flights for Tunisian migrants will resume regularly on August 10 on the basis of an agreement in force with the government of their country of origin. Two flights carrying a maximum of 40 people each will be conducted every week.
About 250 migrants from Tunisia have reached the Italian island of Lampedusa in several small boats in recent days. With no space left to quarantine the new arrivals due the COVID-19 pandemic, politicians across the political spectrum are weighing in on the issue and further polarizing public opinion.
A new generation of 'vloggers' are posting videos on YouTube in an effort to transform illegal immigration and trips motivated by hope for a better future into adventures.
Tunisian President Kaies Saied and Italian Interior Minister Luciana Lamorgese met on July 27 in Tunis to discuss the control of migration flows. Lamorgese expressed strong concern for an increase of arrivals from the North African country during the meeting, interior ministry sources said.
Dozens of migrants continue to wait on board the Ocean Viking ship, after Italy and Malta both refused to grant safe harbor to the private rescue vessel. SOS Mediterranee , which runs the Ocean Viking, said it had sent five requests to both countries over the past week, asking for the boat to dock.
Morocco's navy says it saved nearly 100 migrants on several boats in the Mediterranean, according to the country's official MAP news agency. The migrants were reportedly traveling in the direction of Spain on several boats on June 18.
The UNHCR announced a joint initiative with the World Food Programme (WFP) to save up to 10,000 refugees and migrants stuck in Libya from malnourishment and starvation. The program comes amid the global coronavirus pandemic.
Many African migrants remain undeterred in their endeavor to reach Europe despite the global pandemic situation due to the novel coronavirus and increased security measures. In Niger, it’s business-as-usual for migrants.