NGO-led rescue operations in the Mediterranean: Saving people, alleviating EU responsibilities

Several EU governments have sent ships to the Mediterranean in 2015-2016 as part of efforts to tackle the ongoing migration crisis, but a number of non-governmental actors have also been involved in conducting operations. Daniela Irrera writes on the role of these actors and whether overreliance on NGOs could prove problematic if there is an upturn in attempted crossings in the central Mediterranean following the EU’s agreement with Turkey in March 2016.

• Primary Source

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

ESO: Background information: Massive loss of life reported in latest Mediterranean tragedy http://www.europeansources.info/record/massive-loss-of-life-reported-in-latest-mediterranean-tragedy/

ESO: Background information: EU readies for massive migration flows from Libya http://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-readies-for-massive-migration-flows-from-libya/

MSF: Topics: Mediterranean migration http://www.msf.org/en/topics/mediterranean-migration

Concord: News, 05.04.16: Migration and refugees – Civil Society in the frontline http://concordeurope.org/2016/04/05/migration-refugees-civil-society-role/

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