UNHCR calls for comprehensive response to Lampedusa boat tragedy

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on Friday called for a collective and comprehensive response to last week's Lampedusa boat tragedy to avoid further disasters. UNHCR spokesperson Adrian Edwards said 311 bodies had been recovered following the accident. There is still no final figure for the total number of victims who died, as the UN refugee agency estimated that bodies of between 50 and 70 people have yet to be found. Edwards said only a collective and comprehensive response to the Lampedusa disaster that takes into consideration the situation in countries from which people flee and along asylum routes, can reduce the risk to lives. UNHCR welcomed the statements and actions this week by the European Commission and some European states on the need to prevent such tragedies in the future, and also welcomed the statement made earlier this week by European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso on the need for measures including strengthened capacity for rescue at sea and better surveillance to track boats. The agency highlighted the importance of mitigating the root causes of flight in refugee producing countries, and more information to be made available about the hazards of irregular sea movements to Europe. Edwards also urged for better gathering and sharing of information about the routes and means that people are taking in flight, as well as improved rescue at sea detection and response and better care arrangements on arrival after their disembarkation.