MSF to launch Mediterranean migrant rescue boat

The international medical humanitarian organisation Médecins Sans Frontières / Doctors Without Borders (MSF) and Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS) announced on the 10 April 2015 that they would launch a joint search, rescue and medical aid operation in the central Mediterranean between Africa and Europe.

The life-saving operation would run from May to October 2015, when thousands of people were expected to risk their lives attempting to reach safe haven in Europe.

2014 was the deadliest on record for people crossing the Mediterranean; more than 3,400 people died trying to reach Europe.

The death toll in 2015 was predicted to be even higher, as even less assistance was available to boats in distress.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: European Commission stands by Italy on coping with migratory pressure on Lampedusa http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-european-commission-stands-by-italy-on-coping-with-migratory-pressure-on-lampedusa/

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF UK): Press Release, 10.04.15: Migrants: MSF and MOAS to launch Mediterranean search, rescue and medical aid operation http://www.msf.org.uk/article/migrants-msf-and-moas-to-launch-mediterranean-search-rescue-and-medical-aid-operation

ESO: Background information: From Mare Nostrum to Triton, Europe’s response to the Mediterranean crisis is little more than another budget cut http://www.europeansources.info/record/from-mare-nostrum-to-triton-europes-response-to-the-mediterranean-crisis-is-little-more-than-another-budget-cut/

Website: Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS) http://www.moas.eu/

The Local.it, 10.04.15: Italian teams up with MSF to rescue migrants http://www.thelocal.it/20150410/italian-teams-up-with-msf-to-rescue-migrants

Deutsche Welle, 20.04.15: MOAS: 'Migrants do not deserve to die out at sea' http://dw.de/p/1FB5i

Politico, 12.06.15: A private sector solution to the migrant crisis http://www.politico.eu/article/a-private-sector-solution-to-the-migrant-crisis/

ESO: Information Guide: European Migration Challenges http://www.europeansources.info/record/information-guide-european-migration-challenges/

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