In this week’s news highlights, we would like to update you among other things on the latest events concerning the recently announced EU measurements to reduce migration on the Central Mediterranean Route, the UK’s and Israel’s strategy to downsize the number of Eritrean asylum seekers, and more on drought in the Horn of Africa.
On Wednesday 25 January, the European Commission revealed its strategy for blocking the migration flows along the Central Mediterranean Route, especially around Libya. The short-term measurements are intended to significantly reduce crossings before this summer. The measurements include additional support to the Libyan coast guard, strengthening border authorities in North African countries and increasing returns.
According to the International Organization on Migration, over 290.000 arrivals have been counted in 2016, as opposed to over 350.000 during the same period in 2015. However, despite the declining number of arrivals, deaths on the route to Europe have gone up. 3,168 people are dead or missing as of 31 August 2016, compared to around 2800 that were recorded in 2015 around this time.