Background information
The Mediterranean Sea is one of the world’s most frequently crossed migration routes. Every year, hundreds of thousands of refugees try to reach Europe via this route, but many end up joining the tragic list of those who died while trying to do so. The very first statistics of people dying in the Mediterranean Sea date back to 1988, when the journey of 11,000 individuals mainly from Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia cost 23 lives. Since then, the total death toll counts tens of thousands, with no signs of decrease.
Relevant data
According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), about 7,500 people, who attempted the dangerous journey across the Mediterranean Sea, lost their lives since 2014. UNHCR further reports that the highest number of deaths was registered in 2016 when 5,079 people perished in the sea. However, in following years, the number of deaths has been gradually decreasing and in 2020, only around 100 people died trying to reach Europe across the Mediterranean.
Perspectives from experts
Experts attribute this decrease primarily to improved search and rescue operations, stricter law enforcement by EU countries, and reduced numbers of people fleeing conflict or economic hardship in the Middle East and Africa. Nevertheless, the experts underline that the death toll is still unacceptably high and further efforts should be devoted to minimising the risks associated with such life-threatening journeys.
Dina Ionesco, head of the MigControl program at the International Organization for Migration (IOM), states “We are seeing a decline in the number of casualties and it is encouraging. Unfortunately, the fact that hundreds of people continue to die is a tragedy and a reminder that much more needs to be done to help those who are fleeing conflict, violence, and extreme poverty.”
Own insights and analysis
The dangerous route across the Mediterranean Sea to reach Europe is not only an Orthodox faith, but also a reflection of the sociopolitical and economic inequity in the regions from which refugees are mainly departing. In Africa, according to the UN, over 50 per cent of the population is living in poverty, with more people joining their number due to conflicts and climate change. These same conflicts are pushing thousands of people to flee their homes and take the risk of the long and dangerous journey with the hope of a better life in Europe.
Despite the encouraging decline in fatalities in the Mediterranean Sea in recent years, the number still remains unacceptably high. The death of a single refugee while trying to reach their dream of a better life is too high a price to pay. This reality speaks volumes about the problems we are facing today and requires a global effort to find the best solution.
Questions of responsibility
The reality of drowning during a journey across the Mediterranean Sea raises important questions about responsibilities and the underlying causes of displacement. It is estimated that two-thirds of all fatalities in the Mediterranean Sea since 2014 could have been prevented if the world cared enough to resist wars and conflicts, halt climate change and economic instability, create economic opportunities and provide basic human needs such as shelter, medical care and education. Ultimately, the lack of such measures gives rise to horrible sea tragedies, leaving generations in scars.
Critics argue that Europe, as the destination of many of these deadly journeys, should accept its part of the blame and take on a more active role. While the European Union is making important contributions to protecting the Mediterranean Sea’s vital search and rescue operations and providing aid to countries affected by the current wars and conflicts, critics believe that concerted efforts are still lacking.
Societal perspective
The diminishing but still devastating death toll at the Mediterranean Sea is also considered a moral and ethical issue by a large part of society. As people observe refugees suffering and dying in such tragic circumstances, social movements and grassroots organising have increased in order to promote solidarity and take action to aid refugees. Although many of those initiatives and protests are met with condemnation from some authorities and relatively little recognition from governments and international organisations, they represent a collective glimmer of hope, showing that compassion and altruism are still prevailing in humanity.
Responses from migrants
From the perspective of the fleeing refugees, opinions are divided. While some of them are aware of the risks of the journey and even individual fatalities, they remain determined in reaching out for a better life. Other refugees, however, feel taken advantage of by smugglers and emissaries. In fact, according to a survey conducted by IOM in 2016, 34 per cent of the surveyed refugees stated that they were not informed on the level of risk associated to their journey, while 21 per cent had not even been told of the prospective entry points in Europe.
Negative aspects of exile
The dangers, difficulties and traumas that come with exile can often extend much beyond the initial journey, with many refugees saying that their arrival in Europe does not bring the hoped-for respite from their tribulations. Far from the dream of ending up in a safe environment and achieving a better life, moreover, refugees often find themselves enslaved by smugglers, exploited for cheap manual labour, homeless, living in poverty and facing multiple forms of discrimination.
The stories of those refugees who have safely arrived in Europe are full of personal tragedy, such as the loss of a family member during the journey, separation with the family, long-lasting traumas and years of despair in poverty, exclusion and varying levels of xenophobia. In addition, some of those who reach Europe successfully are the lucky few; it is estimated that only around 10 per cent of those that attempt to cross the Mediterranean Sea manage to make it to their destination safely.
Response from EU countries
European Union member countries have put in place different measures to address the influx of refugees since 2014. Some countries such as Germany, though reluctant to do so for a long time, have eventually opened more shelters, provided more financial assistance, simplified their paperwork and allowed refugees to take up jobs. Other countries, though, have adopted a much more hostile approach, building walls along the borders, introducing detention camps, promoting hate speech and further tightening legal restrictions.
The conflicting approaches between countries and between political forces within countries have made much-needed discussions and negotiations about immigration policies helpless. This situation is further aggravated by the strains imposed by the Coronavirus pandemic, which has hampered the assistance offered by international organisations and led to a tightening of restrictions towards incoming refugees.
Humanitarian assistance
In order to assist those attempting the perilous journey to Europe, the European Union has invested several millions of euros in various programmes designed to help refugees in their home countries, as well as at their final destinations. A significant part of these funds was assigned to United Nations agencies such as IOM, UNHCR and UNICEF, who played an important role in providing emergency aid and protection, setting up refugee camps and informing refugees of their rights and responsibilities.
In order to better organise and address the issue of refugee migration, the European Union formed the European Agenda on Migration 2019, which focuses on five specific areas: legal migration, asylum and relocation, border management and readmission, return, international cooperation and development.
Societal reactions
In the face of the tragedy of thousands of refugees dying in the Mediterranean Sea, it is unsurprising that prominent global leadership figures and political and public opinion influencers have increased their condemnation of wars and conflict and demanded the ceasefire of civil and military actions in migration corridors.
Members of the public, too, have shown their solidarity through donations, protests and donations of their own resources. Furthermore, civil and political movements are challenging the authorities and international organisations to implement more concrete measures to protect refugees from exploitation and abuse, provide better search and rescue operations, provide viable resettlement options and ensure respectful and humane treatment for those arriving in Europe after a long and arduous journey.
