It is sad to note that everyday migrants make the daunting choice to cross the Mediterranean Sea when alternative paths into Europe are blocked. Even with the rising tally of reported fatalities.
Another 41 lives were lost in the Mediterranean after a shipwreck off the Italian island of Lampedusa. Reports show that more than 100,000 crossings have been made since 2018 and more than 400 deaths have been recorded in the first three months of this year.
I am often forced to wonder; Is traveling abroad the only way to succeed? Why do individuals take the perilous risk of crossing the Mediterranean Sea despite being aware of its inherent dangers? Do people really don’t have a choice?
The Central Mediterranean Sea has become one of the deadliest migration routes traveled by both children and adults. Migrants embark on the dangerous journey from the shores of Libya and Egypt, in small, inflatable boats susceptible to sinking.
It may be easy to immediately spot the foolishness of their act but their whys may be far beyond what any of us will ever understand.
Many of these migrants come from regions experiencing conflict, political instability, economic hardship, and human rights abuses. For them, the risks of the sea are most welcomed than what loomed at home. They might have heard success stories of others who successfully reached Europe, not minding to check if they were forged. Perhaps the stories were true, the potential of a secure life was worth the fright of facing the sea.
Or were they mistaken and realized too late that their vulnerabilities were exploited?
The complexities of a migrant life can only be unwebbed by the migrant himself. He alone knows. But what can be done really?
The obvious solution is for countries to work towards resolving conflicts, promoting stability, and addressing political and economic factors that force people to flee; and to invest in economic development, education, and job opportunities in source countries to reduce the motivation for migration.
