Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has announced the resumption of lifesaving search-and-rescue operations in the Central Mediterranean Sea, and condemns the criminal inaction of European governments that are failing to fulfil their basic legal obligations to protect vulnerable people. The return to sea comes after a sustained two-year campaign by EU governments to stop virtually all humanitarian action at sea, and the normalization of vindictive policies that have caused deaths at sea and suffering in conflict-ridden Libya.

In the first six months of 2019, people continued to flee Libya across the Central Mediterranean, with 8,437 people attempting the crossing. At least 426 men, women and children lost their lives doing so, 82 of them in one shipwreck alone just two weeks ago. People’s chances of dying while attempting the crossing have dramatically increased over last year, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

“Politicians would have you believe that the deaths of hundreds of people at sea, and the suffering of thousands of refugees and migrants trapped in Libya, are the acceptable price of attempts to control migration,” said Sam Turner, MSF Head of Mission for Search and Rescue and Libya. “The cold reality is that while they herald the end of the so-called European migration crisis, they are knowingly turning a blind eye to the humanitarian crisis these policies perpetuate in Libya and at sea. These deaths and suffering are preventable, and as long as it continues, we refuse to sit idle.”

MSF will not remain silent about such policy-induced suffering and, thanks to supporters like you, we will continue to assist refugees, migrants and asylum seekers. The new ship Ocean Viking, operated in partnership with SOS MEDITERRANEE, will sail to the Central Mediterranean Sea at the end of the month. “Our presence at sea is to save lives – that’s the bottom line. But we will not be silent while vulnerable people suffer,” said Turner.

With almost no humanitarian vessels left in the Central Mediterranean, and the last vestiges of European search-and-rescue capacity recklessly abandoned, this sea crossing is the world’s most deadly migration route. “In 2019, one person dies for every 10 who arrive in Europe by sea,” said MSF’s International President Dr. Joanne Liu.  As long as EU governments fail to take their responsibility for search-and-rescue operations, and as long people continue to flee Libya, humanitarian vessels will be needed in the Mediterranean.

Without your help, MSF would not be able to provide essential medical care to people in desperate circumstances. Your support is allowing us to remain present and to help those who need it most. For more information, visit our website. 

Joseph Belliveau Executive Director Doctors Without Borders Canada