Non-governmental organizations cannot rescue migrants
2022.12.15 08:49
Non-governmental organizations cannot rescue migrants
Budrigannews.com – On Thursday, a migrant rescue organization that was embroiled in a diplomatic dispute that erupted last month between Italy and France stated that it urgently requires donations to keep its ship afloat in the Mediterranean.
SOS Mediterranee stated in a statement, “Faced with a sharp increase in its operating costs, the association is calling on the generosity of the general public, patrons, and local authorities.”
The Ocean Viking is operated by the charity. In November, the ship brought approximately 230 migrants to France after the new right-wing government in Italy refused to take it in but accepted three other charity vessels.
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The French government responded to Rome’s actions by announcing that it would no longer accept the 3,000 migrants who were already in Italy as part of a voluntary European burden-sharing agreement.
According to SOS Mediterranee, the Ocean Viking’s operational costs have increased since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with fuel costs alone exceeding 1 million euros.
SOS Mediterranee executive director Sophie Beau stated, “Our financial situation is very difficult at the end of 2022, but we are not giving up.”
SOS Mediterranee was founded in 2015 and has locations in Switzerland, France, and Italy.
Italy has accused migrant rescue NGOs of facilitating the work of people traffickers under the new government led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, which took office in October.
