UNHCR thanks Italian navy for rescuing boat in distress packed with refugees from Libya
Briefing Notes, 11 November 2011
This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson Adrian Edwards – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at the press briefing, on 11 November 2011, at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
After two days of sending out distress calls from a satellite phone in the Mediterranean Sea, 44 people, mostly sub-Saharans, were rescued by an Italian military vessel last night. UNHCR is grateful that the Italian navy took this initiative despite the fact that the boat was in Maltese search and rescue waters.
UNHCR was alerted that relatives of some of the passengers onboard the boat called from a satellite phone on Tuesday evening. A full 48 hours later, the boat was rescued in the middle of the night. The delay in rescuing the boat led to huge risks to the lives of the people on board the boat in distress. Risks included drowning, dehydration and exposure. A woman with a small baby was evacuated by helicopter to Sicily from Lampedusa.
This is the first boat originating from Libya that has arrived in Europe since August 17th.
For further information on this topic, please contact:
- In Geneva: Sybella Wilkes on mobile +41 79 557 9138
UNHCR Supplementary Budget: The Libya Situation, March 2011
Displacement Challenges for Libya
Libya endured severe upheaval in 2011 and the next government faces major challenges moving the country forward after four decades of Muammar Gaddafi's rigid rule. One task will be addressing and resolving the issue of tens of thousands of internally displaced people. Some are waiting for their homes to be repaired or rebuilt, but many more have been forced to desert their towns and villages because of their perceived support for Gaddafi and alleged crimes committed during the conflict. Meanwhile, growing numbers of people, including refugees and asylum-seekers, are coming to Libya from sub-Saharan Africa on well travelled mixed migration routes. Some are being detained as illegal immigrants, though many are people of concern. Others have risked the dangerous sea crossing to southern Europe.
Displacement Challenges for Libya
Angelina Jolie meets boat people in Malta, Lampedusa
Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie joined UNHCR chief António Guterres on the Italian island of Lampedusa, where they met with boat people who have fled unrest in North Africa.
More than 40,000 people, including refugees and asylum-seekers, have crossed the Mediterranean on overcrowded boats and descended on the small island since the beginning of the year.
The UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador flew to Lampedusa from Malta, which has also been a destination for people fleeing North Africa by boat.
Angelina Jolie meets boat people in Malta, Lampedusa
Displacement in Libya: Misrata, Benghazi and Tobruk
Thousands of people still remain displaced in eastern Libya as a result of the conflict that erupted in mid-February between government and opposition forces. Most are staying with host families, in empty buildings or schools. Other people of concern to UNHCR, such as refugees and asylum-seekers, have fled conflict areas such as Misrata by boat to safer locations. They are now hoping to return to their homes in Libya, be resettled to a third country, or to return to their countries of origin. UNHCR's Helene Caux has photographed the plight of internally displaced people (IDPs), refugees and migrants in Misrata, Benghazi and Tobruk.
Displacement in Libya: Misrata, Benghazi and Tobruk
Libya: Cost of War
Sirte was heavily damaged during last year's fighting.
Libya: Africans at Risk
As the civil war ends in Libya, Sub-Saharan Africans fear recriminations
Italy: Jolie and Guterres visit Lampedusa
Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie and UNHCR chief António Guterres see conditions for migrants, including refugees, on Italy's Lampedusa Island.
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