On migration routes to Europe, migrants face 'unimaginable horrors' as conflicts in Sudan and the Sahel hamper their protection. The alarm was sounded on Tuesday by UN humanitarians.
Thousands of people therefore risk their lives in these areas every year in Africa. Also, UNHCR officials are pleading for collaboration with the authorities of the main migration hubs.
''If we cannot be present in northern Agadez today, the local authorities are present: people who were born there, who were there before this route was used for migration to Libya. Let's work with these authorities. These authorities see the problem. These authorities want to do something,'' explains Vincent Cochetel, Special Envoy for the situation in the Central Mediterranean, United Nations Refugee Agency.
There remains the thorny question of means. UNHCR is calling for more support to better protect migrants. In particular, he wants to strengthen their rescue in the desert.
''We continue to talk about rescue at sea. The concept of rescue in the desert is not very, very developed. Search and rescue in the desert is something we would like to develop with the local authorities. Technologically, it's possible,'' underlined Vincent Cochetel.
Humanitarians cite the example of Agadez, in central Niger. A hub for migration to Libya and where the security situation remains extremely dangerous for candidates for departure to Europe.
Very unfortunate!
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