The Spanish Commission for Refugee Aid (CEAR) has called on European Union countries to take actions that ensure protection for people affected by the earthquake in Morocco and the floods in Libya.
Both Morocco and Libya are places where migrants and refugees pass through or seek shelter.
These natural disasters have caused many casualties and significant damage to cities and communities. They have also forced people to leave their homes, which could lead to more migration to Europe in the future, says CEAR.
“We are concerned about the consequences on the living conditions of the Moroccan people and migrants and refugees, since it has hit the most impoverished areas that traditionally generate migration,” says CEAR in a tweet.
In Morocco, the earthquake has affected at least 300,000 people. CEAR expressed its concerns about how this will affect the people in Morocco and all the migrants and refugees living or passing through the country.
The areas hit hardest by the earthquake are usually places where people migrate from to Europe because they are very poor.
CEAR also points out that sub-Saharan communities stuck in the affected areas are in a more difficult situation. Although at least 19,323 refugees are officially recognized by UNHCR as asylum seekers or refugees, many more live in Morocco without being officially recognized.
In Libya, Cyclone Daniel has shown once again how climate change is causing serious problems all over the world. This is an unusual event in the Mediterranean.
CEAR said it’s concerned about people who were already in very tough situations due to conflicts or human rights violations in North Africa, like migrants and refugees. At least 50,000 people are trapped in Libya because of European border policies.
CEAR launched a campaign for citizens to sign a petition outlining requests to EU countries. These requests include broader refugee criteria, encompassing those displaced by climate change, the creation of safe routes to Europe, like humanitarian visas, and faster relocation of refugees, simpler family reunification, even if separated, enforcing non-refoulement to prevent returning people to perilous places.
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