Six refugees die in the Mediterranean every day

"Six refugees die in the Mediterranean every day"

"the Number of refugees attempting to reach Europe across the Mediterranean is decreasing. But the trips are continued to be life-threatening. On average, die six people a day, according to a new united nations report."

"– Unfortunately the cooperation between the different countries very slow, " says Didzis Melbiksis of the UNHCR."

"This is despite the fact that fewer and fewer are trying to cross the sea to Europe. A total of arrived 139 300 people to Spain, Italy and Greece last year. The majority came via the sea. It is the lowest in five years, and to compare with just over 172 000 people by 2017, and more than a million the year of crisis in 2015."

"Even if the total number of deaths decreases, the situation is further grim. Most, 1 100 people, of last year's fatalities, had traveled in boats from Libya. On at least ten occasions drowned over 50 people."

" If we look at them as coming from Libya trying to reach Europe, it is one of the 14 who have died. It is very high. In 2017, it was a one in 38. So dödsfrekvensen has become higher, " says Didzis Melbiksis, spokesperson for the UNHCR in northern Europe."

"Particularly dangerous was the route over the western Mediterranean to Spain, where the increase in the number of deaths from 202 in 2017 to 777 in the last year."

"Didzis Melbiksis points out that not only is the number of båtflyktingar on the Mediterranean sea, which greatly reduced, but also the total number of asylum seekers in Europe."

"– the Situation is quite manageable. It is a question of political will. Survived we 2015, we can handle it here, " he says."

"According to the report, is a major problem that people get stuck on the ships out at sea without the possibility to go to port."

"– It can go days or even weeks before countries will agree on the date of receipt. It is dangerous for perhaps physically vulnerable people to pass around in the Mediterranean, " says Didzis Melbiksis."

"– There must be more order. When you have rescued people, there must be a more coordinated system for receiving them. There must be a clarity in how the people should be distributed between different countries, regardless of whether they are migrants or refugees."

"Among last year's positive signs are that several countries agreed to evacuate the people who have been in custody in the camps in Tripoli, Libya, says Didzis Melbiksis."

"– Nearly 2,500 people were rescued in that way."

"a Total of 139 300 refugees and migrants to Europe over the Mediterranean sea, in 2018."

"Spain received 65 400, Italy 23 400 Greece 50 of 500."

"It means a change in how resrutterna looks. For the first time in several years, namely Spain, the country that receives the greatest number of people."

"Last year, died on the 2nd of 275 persons on the sea – to compare with the 3 139 in 2017, 5 096 people by 2016, and 3 771 people in 2015."