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Background
The increase in the numbers of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers traveling in mixed migratory movements constitutes a major political and humanitarian challenge. North Africa is affected by such movements as a region of origin, transit and destination for those who have left their homes fleeing war, conflict, discrimination, and those seeking to improve their opportunities and a better future.
North Africa is a complex migratory hub characterized by major inter-regional movements which in the last several years has witnessed a large increase in numbers of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers looking to reach Europe.
The “Central Mediterranean Route” (CMR) and the “Western Mediterranean Route” (WMR), which are two of the main routes transiting through Northern Africa and the Mediterranean into Europe, have become political and humanitarian touchstones. Since 2015, 492,901 migrants, refugees and asylum seekers have made their way to Europe using these two routes. By the third week of October 2017, 111,166 and 13,977 arrivals to Italy and Spain were recorded through the CMR and the WMR, respectively.
One of the more concerning aspects of these movements is the rise in the number of children, especially those who are unaccompanied and separated wayfaring on such often-dangerous journeys.
It is estimated that 50 million children are on the move globally, with an estimated 28 million of those children fleeing their home countries due to violence and insecurity. Currently, children make up approximately 17.9% of all travelers arriving to Italy via the CMR. In 2016, unaccompanied and separated children accounted for 92% of children arriving along the CMR.
An estimated 15,190 migrants, refugees and asylum seekers have lost their lives in the Mediterranean since 2014. The Central Mediterranean Route has long been recognized as the most dangerous route across the Mediterranean and continues to claim many lives. Thus far in 2017, 93% of all deaths recorded in the Mediterranean have occurred along the CMR.