“A tragedy of epic proportions” — that’s how the International Organization for Migration describes what’s been happening to the migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean this year. On the African continent, while instability and economic stagnation have driven thousands of young people to leave home, chaos in Libya has made it easier for migrants to get access to the Mediterranean coast.
Migration routes through northern Africa (source: NY Times; click map above for the full story)
Migrants arriving in Europe via the Mediterranean (source: UNHCR)
The number of people making this risky sea crossing reached an all-time high last year: by UNHCR estimates, 219000 arrived on the shores of southern Europe in 2014, ten times more than in 2012. So far this year, thousands of others have died in the attempt (3500, or one every two hours, according to figures cited in Le Monde).
What lands do they…
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The Migrants are a sad situation and I feel sorry for those who are fleeing their country because of wars. Risking their lives under a false idea that they may have a better life in another country. S0 SAD !!
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Rita – Yes, it is a terrible situation!
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