By Matik Kueth
King News 01st October 2024 – The United Nations said it had recorded more than 350,000 Sudanese refugees and asylum seekers in North Africa, with 97,000 migrants entering Libya since April 2024.
In a statement obtained by King News on Tuesday, Sivanka Dhanapala, Director of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, stated that it is critical to draw attention to the difficulties faced by migrants attempting a perilous trek to Europe.
“It is important to highlight that the challenges do not start in North Africa. A holistic cross-regional response is required that starts at the root of the journeys,” Dhanapala said.
He said between January and August 2024, it is estimated that around 134,000 refugees and migrants departed by sea from North and West Africa towards Europe, a minor drop from the previous year.
However, Par Liljert, Director of the International Organization for Migration, acknowledged the reasons why people leave their homes and the enormous difficulties associated with negotiating migration routes.
The number of migrants from other African countries, including Sudan, making their way to Europe has significantly increased.
Many people have been compelled to look for safety and stability abroad due to the ongoing conflict in Sudan, particularly between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese army.
According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), around 6,000 Sudanese refugees arrived in Italy from Tunisia and Libya in 2023, marking a nearly sixfold increase from the previous year.
This trend highlights the desperate situation many face and the lengths they are willing to go to find safety and a better life.