A coalition of Euro-Mediterranean migrants' rights groups is hoping to gather a flotilla of ships and boats to offer assistance to migrants trying to cross the Mediterranean.

The groups decided on the action at a recent meeting in Cecina, Italy.

The groups include Migeurop, Cimade, Gisti and FIDH, based in Italy and France.

"The lack of hospitality within European policy has reached such an appalling level that it is our duty to act and to show the possibility of a Euro-Mediterranean area based on solidarity and respect for human rights," the groups said in a statement.

They said the flotilla would carry out maritime surveillance so that assistance could be provided to people in danger.

They did not say where they would take the migrants to.

In their statement, the NGOs said the European Union still had not taken any initiative to host the migrants or to save those endangered at sea.

"On the contrary, the EU is reinforcing border surveillance through the deployment of the Frontex agency in the Mediterranean while vessels of the coalition forces do not provide assistance to boat-people. The UNHCR estimates that more than 2,000 people are missing at sea since February."

The flotilla will embark political figures, journalists, artists, and representatives of the organisations involved in the project.

The organisations called on those interested to help them realise the project.