Ylva Johansson, the European Commissioner for Home Affairs, has emphasized that some nations, such as Libya, pose significant challenges as transit hubs for unlawful immigration, particularly due to clear indications of criminal factions penetrating their Coast Guard forces.
Addressing representatives of the European Union, Johansson confessed, “This mission is indeed complex, and it’s insufficient to focus solely on nations like Libya. We must extend our efforts to the originating countries from where migrants predominantly set off.”
This disclosure follows closely on the heels of the European Commission and Italian authorities providing new patrol vessels to the Libyan Coast Guard. Interestingly, the European Commission itself recognized the fruitful financial contributions made to the Libyan Coast Guard, highlighting the rescue of 88,000 migrants from 2017 to 2021, as disclosed in a press statement issued in June.
Johansson also explained that the African Trust Fund devotes special attention to safeguarding and supporting migrants along with the communities that host them, and enhancing their ability to withstand hardships.
As evidence, she cited that 52,800 migrants have willingly returned to their home countries, 355,000 people have been given non-food commodities and sanitation supplies, 4 million individuals have gained enhanced access to fundamental services, and 70,000 children have availed of formal and informal education.
