Fatshimetrie: The Sudanese refugee crisis in North Africa
The Sudanese refugee crisis in North Africa continues to escalate, with more than 350,000 refugees and asylum seekers registered by the United Nations since the beginning of the year. Among them, no fewer than 97,000 migrants have crossed into Libya since last April, desperately seeking refuge and protection.
Sivanka Dhanapala, Director of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, stresses the importance of addressing the full range of challenges facing these migrants: “It is crucial to consider that the problems do not start in North Africa. A comprehensive and transregional response is needed, starting at the origin of the migration journeys.”
Between January and August this year, more than 134,000 refugees and migrants set sail from North and West Africa to Europe, representing a slight decrease compared to the previous year. Yet these figures should not obscure the suffering and dangers faced by these individuals as they seek refuge from the conflicts and crises ravaging their countries of origin.
Liljert, Director of the International Organization for Migration, also briefed the Council on the situation, acknowledging the underlying reasons that drive these people to leave their homes and the daunting challenges they face along the way. He called for firm and urgent action to address this massive humanitarian crisis, stressing the importance of understanding the root causes of these forced migrations.
The harrowing images of these Sudanese refugees attempting to reach Europe by sea are moving and thought-provoking. These men, women and children fleeing violence and distress deserve unwavering international attention and assistance. It is high time to act, to reach out to these souls in distress and to work together to find lasting solutions to this ever-worsening humanitarian crisis.