AYS Daily Digest 13/7/21: A humanitarian crisis evolves in Afghanistan
270,000 displaced people this year alone// More women and children among victims// More than 900 people died in the Central Mediterranean this year, 2000 on their way to Spain// Old fabric evicted in Bihac// Finland stops deportations to Afghanistan
Afghanistan
The UNHCR is warning of a humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan as the conflict between the Taliban and the government sees more and more violence and casualties. In the first quarter of 2021 alone, there has been a 29 per cent increase in casualties than in 2020. Since January this year, 270,000 civilians are estimated to have been displaced: the total number of displaced is currently 3.5 million. “Many have reported interruptions to social services and a loss of income due to rising insecurity,” UNHCR spokesperson Babar Baloch said. Additionally, women and children are reported to be targeted in increasing numbers.
We urge the international community to step up support to the Government and people of Afghanistan and its neighbours at this critical moment, in a spirit of solidarity and burden-sharing.
The UNHCR’s required budget for Afghanistan at the moment is only at 43 per cent of the 337 million dollars needed to offer full support.
Worth reading:
- Afghanistan turmoil causes EU new migration headaches
Sea
More than 100 people in seven boats arrived today in Lampedusa, GDS reports. However, almost 900 people have died in the central Mediterranean this year, while civilian rescue ships are prevented from going on their missions. Sea-Watch has subsequently announced a protest for 7th August. While Sea-Watch’s ship the Nadir was able the leave the harbor for its second observing mission this year, repressive policies and government blocks mean that people are continuing to be left to die at sea.
Greece
E-evros has spotted a Zeppelin in the Evros region doing a test flight at Democritus airport. It is assumed to have radar and thermal cameras to detect people trying to cross the border.
Italy
Some 34 people have been relocated from Lesvos to several Italian regions through the humanitarian corridors programme. More than 3,700 people have been brought to Italy, France, Belgium and Andorra under this scheme since 2016. The minors will be welcomed by members of the Pope John XXIII Community Association and in family-type structures of some Tuscan municipalities, Sand’Egidio writes.
Bosnia
Authorities in Bihac have evicted the old metal factory, forcing the people to be transferred to Lipa camp, No Name Kitchen notes. “They went into every room and they threw out all the stuff — tents, sleeping bags, mattresses, clothes, pots”, one witness stated. SOS Balkanroute warns that many people will return and try to go to the “game” now, meaning that they will once again attempt dangerous crossings.
Spain
16 people have died after their boat capsized leaving Cape Bojador. El Diaro writes that 30 people were on board. Statewatch summarizes that more than 2,000 people from 18 countries have died on their way to Spain in 2021 and reminds:
Almost 96% of the dead disappeared at sea and their bodies have never been recovered.
In Gran Canaria, 53 people disembarked, El Diaro adds.
In several Spanish cities, there will be demonstrations in solidarity with people trying to cross the border on Saturday, July 17th at 6pm. In Melilla, more than 100 people crossed the fance into Spanish territory, according to InfoMigrants.
France
At Graz fair there will be a free vaccination day on Saturday, July 17th, between 8 and 6pm with AstraZeneca. Appointments are not needed, and the second dose will be given five weeks after.
Belgium
German newspaper Taz reports about the 475 people of the “sans-papiers” group on hunger strike in Brussels. Up to 150,000 people (1.5% of the population) are estimated to live in the country without residence permits and are officially not allowed to work; while some in this situation manage to find informal work, they are still left in an unstable situation.
France
BAAM criticizes the prefecture for not allowing the yearly migrant ball for safety reasons. “It is a direct and unheard infringement of the right of an activist association to express political opinion,” the group stated.
UK
More than 120 people were rescued on Monday in the channel between France and the UK. All were returned to France. A Nacy helicopter was needed, after one group got stranded on a sandbank, according to InfoMigrants.
https://twitter.com/Glasgow_Live/status/1413031004944670723
Worth reading:
- The gal-dem guide to Priti Patel’s horrible new immigration bill.
Ireland
The Irish Refugee Council calculated the human cost of delays in the asylum system, which can be up to two years. “Feelings of stress, frustration, wasting of skills, damage to families and even suicidal ideation were all evident in the responses to the survey we conducted. Delays also undermine the integrity of the Irish protection process itself. All stakeholders should be deeply concerned”, CEO Nick Henderson told Statewatch.
Denmark
The Irish Syria Solidarity Movement published an open letter to the Danish government, protesting against the cancelled residencies and deportation plans for 191 Syrians. Another 200 cases are to be reviewed. “This action by Denmark is based on a false assesment of the situation in Syria,” the group cricizes and speaks about breaches of international law.
Worth reading:
Finland
Due to increasing safety concerns, Finland has decided to temporatily halt deporations to Afghanistan. The immigration service did not give a time frame for the suspension, Reuters reports. The country is unstable and the situation not clear, the office argued. Therefore the situation for returnees could not be evaluated.
General
The Women’s Refugee Commission has published a new field guide “Supporting Young Male Refugees and Migrants Who Are Survivors or At Risk of Sexual Violence”. It is made for frontline workers to integrate protection and support structures for this group.
The EU’s Council will discuss a new proposal for an Asylum and Migration Management Regulation, according to Statewatch. The paper was already sent to member states on July 6th. At the same time, the parliament called the member states to end illegal internal border controls in the Schengen Area. They state that individual rights should be upheld and the operations of Frontex evaluated.
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