09 May 2014
This week two boats carrying people from Somalia, Syria and Eritrea capsized in the Aegean Sea, killing at least 22 people. Over 36 people have been rescued by the Greek coastguard and the EU Border Agency Frontex in a joint operation. According to UNHCR, this week, in just two days, over 250 people were rescued at sea by Greek authorities.
“In view of this increasing death toll and the dangers refugees continue to face in their efforts to reach safety or to join their family members abroad, UNHCR reiterates its appeal to governments to increase legal migration alternatives so that perilous irregular routes are avoided,” UNHCR has stated in a press release.
The Europe Act Now, #HelpSyriasRefugees campaign run by ECRE and over 100 organisations denounces the lack of safe and legal channels for refugees and migrants to reach Europe. The testimony of Azmi and Azzam sheds light on the perilous journeys asylum seekers need to undertake to reach safety in Europe.
This article originally appeared in the ECRE Weekly Bulletin of 9 May 2014.
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