Refugee, migrant flows from Libya to Europe on rise, finds UNHCR

NEW YORK ­­­­ / WAM

Movements by sea from Libya to Europe, despite being the most dangerous route for reaching the continent, have increased and there are indications that it will likely continue to do so, a new study by the United Nations refugee agency has revealed.
According to ‘Mixed Migration Trends in Libya: Changing Dynamics and Protection Challenges’, a study commissioned by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR, around half of those travelling to the country did so believing they could find jobs there, but ended up fleeing onwards to Europe to escape life-threatening insecurity, instability, difficult economic conditions and widespread exploitation and abuse.
“Foreign nationals going to Libya are part of mixed migration flows, meaning that people with different backgrounds and motivations travel together along the same routes, often with the help of ruthless people smugglers and criminal gangs,” said the UN agency in a news release, announcing the findings.
“They include refugees, asylum seekers, economic migrants, unaccompanied minors, environmental migrants, victims of trafficking and stranded migrants, among
others.”
The study also found that almost 80 percent of the refugees and migrants in Libya were young men, aged 22 on average and travelling alone.
The findings indicated a significant rise in the number of unaccompanied and separated children travelling alone, constituting some 14 percent of all arrivals in Europe via the Central Mediterranean route, as well as women, particularly those from West and Central Africa, who could be victims of trafficking.
It also revealed that while economic reasons was the major factor motivating people to travel, many were also trying to flee violence, conflict or political persecution in their countries of origin.
In addition from people from within the African continent, the refugees and migrants in Libya also included individuals from as far as Syria, Iraq and Bangladesh. However, many arriving in the country risk being kidnapped, held captive and abused by human smugglers or criminal gangs.
In order to provide humanitarian assistance to those arriving as well as to the Libyans affected by the ongoing conflict, UNHCR is scaling up its response and recently issued an appeal for US$75.5 million to strengthen protection monitoring and interventions, as well as advocacy on issues related to respect for human rights, access to basic services, asylum procedures and freedom of movement.