Don’t let migrants drown in Mediterranean, says Caritas

Caritas supports an Italian naval programme that saves migrants whose frail boats are shipwrecked. Photo: Caritas Italiana

Caritas supports an Italian naval programme that saves migrants whose frail boats are shipwrecked. Photo: Caritas Italiana

Caritas joined other voices today to call for the continuation of an Italian government programme that saves vulnerable migrants from a terrifying death at sea.

Each year thousands of migrants board small, unsafe boats to cross the Mediterranean Sea, often to escape violence in their home countries.

When these unseaworthy boats wreck, migrants drown. For the past year, an Italian naval operation called “Mare Nostrum“–Our Sea–has saved many lives.

Today, Caritas Italiana and other aid groups appealed to the government not to continue plans to shut down “Mare Nostrum.”

“The decision of the Italian government to stop the operation Mare Nostrum is a very serious error,” said an appeal signed by more than a dozen groups that help migrants who have come to Italy. “Mare Nostrum’s search and rescue operation has saved thousands of people, most of whom are fleeing wars, persecution and violence and are seeking international protection.”

The appeal noted that an EU programme called Triton is not a substitute for Mare Nostrum. “Triton has different goals… it will not stop the migrants’ journeys or the tragedies,” says the appeal. Mare Nostrum has a clear “search and rescue” mission whereas other options do not, and the operations of Triton are limited by a much smaller budget.

Urging the Italian government not to “give in to xenophobic pressure,” the organisations asked leaders to continue “Mare Nostrum” and provide temporary protection and a European resettlement programme for refugees who are fleeing war.

“Italy must make the right, responsible choice and continue operation Mare Nostrum,” says the appeal. “The rescue of each human life is the first duty and responsibility of a state which calls itself civil and democratic.”

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