The United National High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said that the Libyan Coast Guard has rescued more than 6,060 refugees and migrants from the beginning of the year, up until May 5, all of whom were attempting to make their way to Europe.

The UNHCR indicated in its monthly update that local fishermen also reported the rescue of 12 migrants and the unfortunate retrieval of an undisclosed number of bodies off the shores of Zawiya, whilst expressing its concern over the sinking of a boat carrying an unknown number of passengers off the Libyan coast.

The UNHCR added that its Ramadan campaign to distribute foodstuffs targeted 5,339 refugees and asylum seekers and more than 1,400 families, with an expected 4,000 others to be targeted in Al-Zawiya, Zuwara and Misrata.

News