UNHCR commends the Cyprus authorities for their laudable search and rescue operation yesterday that saved the lives of the 345 refugees fleeing the vicious war in Syria. There were 52 children, 93 women and 200 men. All the 345 refugees, Syrians and Palestinians residents of Syria,…
A group of refugees from Syria waiting to be transferred from the Limassol port to the temporary reception center at Kokkinotrimithia
© UNHCR Cyprus
UNHCR commends the Cyprus authorities for their laudable search and rescue operation yesterday that saved the lives of the 345 refugees fleeing the vicious war in Syria. There were 52 children, 93 women and 200 men. All the 345 refugees, Syrians and Palestinians residents of Syria, are now at a temporary reception center near the capital Nicosia.
UNHCR is grateful to all those involved in this humanitarian endeavour, in particular the Ministry of the Interior, the Civil Defence and the cruise ship “Salamis Filoxenia”. This is a clear demonstration of what can be achieved when governments, international organisations and the shipping industry pull together to respond to a humanitarian urgent need.
Many of the survivors told UNHCR that they wish to join family members in other Member States of the European Union; and others spoke about leaving their spouses and children behind in their ruined homeland hoping one day to be able to be together.
The refugees sailed from Latakia port in Syria a week ago, crammed on a small, unseaworthy fishing boat promised to take them to Italy. The smugglers abandoned the boat and the Cypriot search and rescue center received a distress signal from the boat located at 55 nautical miles south of the coastal town of Pafos, yesterday (Thursday) morning.
UNHCR team was present at the port all night, working with the rescue and registration team. UNHCR and partners are now monitoring the situation at the temporary reception center where the refugees will be registered and have their immediate needs met before they are transferred to a more appropriate facility for extended duration.
It is estimated that more than 2,500 asylum seekers have perished or gone missing trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea only in 2014, including over 2,200 since the start of June. As more refugees and migrants risk their lives at sea to find safety and better economic opportunities in Europe, UNHCR welcomes all efforts by European States to rescue vessels in distress, and calls on all States to collectively find legal alternatives to this perilous journeys.
The number of persons arriving by sea to Europe has continued to increase this year, including many fleeing conflict and violence. The challenges posed by these increasing arrivals cannot be addressed by a few states alone. A joint European response is needed, based on collaboration among States and EU support to ensure additional initial reception facilities, assistance in processing applications as well as identifying long-term solutions for those in need of international protection.
Despite the growing number of people arriving by sea and in need of international protection, it is important to highlight that 86% of refugees remain in developing countries.
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