On Wednesday morning, around 80 refugees died off the coast of Greece.
The tragedy is just one of many in a situation when the world has more refugees than ever.
– It is a desperation that characterizes the people who flee, says Åsa Widell at UNHCR.
It was early Wednesday morning that a smuggling boat carrying refugees capsized and sank in international waters, off the coast of Greece.
A large rescue effort was launched and at first it was said that over 100 people had been saved, but during the day Greek authorities have reported increasingly higher death tolls, AFP reports.
The boat is believed to have come from Libya and was probably headed for Italy, according to authorities. The accident is the biggest outside Greece this year – but it is by no means unique.
The boat is believed to have come from Libya – and was probably heading for Italy
The boat is believed to have come from Libya – and was probably on its way to Italy Photo: AP
UNHCR: New refugee record
According to a new report from the UN refugee agency UNHCR, the number of refugees in the world has once again hit a record. At the end of 2022, 108.4 million people were measured to be displaced – the highest number ever.
Last year’s figures also represented the biggest increase ever.
– It depends very much on the war in Ukraine, but also other refugee situations have continued and they have also revised calculations on the number of refugees in Iran, which have turned out to be larger than expected, says Åsa Widell, Sweden’s Secretary General for UNHCR.
– There have been more people who continue to flee from Venezuela, from Congo, from Afghanistan. Many of the old refugee situations just keep increasing, she continues.
“Life is put on hold”
The average time people are on the run is 17 years, according to UNHCR. Most flee within the country or to neighboring countries – but many also go far to leave war and poverty.
Some, for example from Venezuela, leave their countries on foot, with children in their arms.
– It is difficult to be a refugee. For the vast majority of refugees, it is a feeling of being outside. Life is put on hold if you are not included in the host country, if the children are not allowed to go to school, if you do not have the right to work in the country, says Åsa Widell.
Aside from money, peace is the most important tool UNHCR is asking for to help refugees.
– If the world manages to resolve conflicts and perhaps prevent conflicts from breaking out, then we would have almost no refugee problems in the world, says Åsa Widell.
Greece has announced three days of national mourning after the tragic boat accident, reports AFP.