The deteriorating security situation in Libya has left many migrant workers vulnerable and at an ever growing risk of feeding the deadly Mediterranean exodus, a newly published report has warned.
The International Organisation for Migration estimates there are more than 200,000 migrant workers in Libya, 7,000 of whom are in need of evacuation assistance, transit or border reception, health services and psychosocial support.
As the security situation continues to deteriorate, there have also been a high number of third country nationals trapped, since the border between Libya and Egypt/Tunisia remains practically closed to them.
Without valid travel documents and confirmed airline reservations, authorities will not allow migrants to cross the border, the report notes. Many also do not have sufficient means to organise their onward travel to their country of origin.
“This is reflected in the extraordinary high numbers of migrants arriving at the Italian shores during this summer,” the report notes.
Destitute migrants risk getting into overcrowded and dilapidated boats, leading to the deaths of over 2,000 migrants at sea and hundreds of bodies washed on the Libyan shores in recent weeks.
The report comes before the expected switchover from the Italian Mare Nostrum rescue mission to an operation by the EU’s border agency, codenamed Triton.
This is reflected in the extraordinary high numbers arriving in Italy
Triton is expected to cost significantly less than the Italian operation and will be much smaller in scale, with fewer vessels than those currently being used by the Italian government. Security analysts last month said that stopping the Mare Nostrum mission would likely lead to the deaths of hundreds of migrants.
The report also notes that efforts are being made by the Libyan Coast Guard, which on October 2 rescued 190 migrants near the coastal town of Garabulli, some 60 kilometres from Tripoli. On the same day, 167 migrants on board a boat reported to be in distress were saved by a Greek tanker about 90 miles north of Benghazi.
Following nearly two months of fighting, Libyan parties responded to the UN-sponsored dialogue and gathered on September 29 for preliminary discussions on confidence-building measures aimed at starting a reconciliation process.
“Although ways to build trust and overcome the stalemate in the country were discussed, and further meetings proposed, the time for talks ‘doesn’t seem ripe’ for all the parties involved,” the report notes.
According to a video clip circulated on the social media, a Misurata militia commander addressed those taking part in the UN talks as criminals.
Ongoing fighting is taking place in the eastern city of Benghazi between pro-government forces and Islamist militias who have taken over several army camps, killing 130 soldiers since August.
Security sources also reported that gunmen fired rockets at the Labraq airport east of Benghazi, which has become the main entry gate into the east since Benghazi airport was closed in May.
The prolonged fighting has created urgent humanitarian needs, particularly those related to the wounded on all sides and has caused the displacement of over 140,000 people, the UN Support Mission in Libya and local crisis committees reported.