Berlin, Germany
Tuesday, July 08, 2025
Sea rescue NGOs have rescued more than 175,000 migrants in the Mediterranean over the past 10 years, several German humanitarian organizations said on Wednesday, urging states “to finally assume their responsibilities”.
Of the 21 NGOs participating in the civilian rescue fleet in the central Mediterranean, one of the world’s deadliest migration routes, 10 are German and have drawn up a balance sheet of their work since 2015, the year of an influx of Syrian refugees to Europe.
These humanitarian organizations “are funded by donations and supported by a broad social base, but the pressure on us is increasing”, warned Mirka Schรคfer, spokeswoman for SOS Humanity.
“Despite all the obstacles”, not least the denounced government inaction, “society’s support for civil rescue at sea has remained intact”, added United4Rescue’s Sandra Bils, citing ongoing support from cities, trade unions, crรจches and also businesses.
Nevertheless, over the last 10 years, more than 20,800 people, including 3,500 children, have died or disappeared in the central Mediterranean, according to the United Nations, and the figures could be much higher, according to humanitarian organizations.
This area, which links North Africa to Italy and Malta, โremains one of the most dangerous migration routes in the worldโ, added Ms. Schรคfer, despite the NGOs deploying 15 lifeboats, seven sailing boats and four aircraft.
Mirka Schรคfer called on EU member states to โfinally assume their responsibilitiesโ and organize a joint rescue program.
At present, they are โknowingly allowing thousands of people to drown or be taken to torture campsโ in Libya, ignoring distress calls and hindering the work of civilian rescue teams, she denounces.
Berlin, like other capitals, must also โcreate safe and legal migration routes and not continue to dismantle themโ, otherwise deportations will continue, demanded Sea Watch spokeswoman Giulia Messmer.
According to the NGO count carried out since 2015, 336,000 people have been illegally sent back to Libya and Tunisia.
In concrete terms, the humanitarians recommend that the EU draw inspiration from โMare Nostrumโ, a vast rescue operation by the Italian navy between 2013 and 2014.
Like Germany, European governments are steadily tightening their migration policies, against a backdrop of rising right-wing and far-right sentiment across the continent.
Humaniterre with AFP
