Key operational data regarding our Search and Rescue operations are available on the interactive map. Each operation is geographically positioned on the map by a marker. By selecting the marker, detailed information is provided including: the vessel involved, the date and duration of the rescue operation, the number of people rescued, the port of departure and the port of safety, general observations on the health situation onboard, and the sea route that the ship has followed.
The operational data is shared through graphs highlighting key information including: overall numbers of people rescued and of operations carried out, how the rescue operations are initiated, the involvement of each vessel, and the designated ports of safety we were instructed to disembark at.
The assumption that the presence of NGO-led rescue vessels in the Central Mediterranean creates a pull-factor and encourages more refugees and migrants to attempt the risky sea journey is used as an argument to reduce rescue capacities. In light of this, MSF carried out an analysis of the available data on attempted sea crossings including numbers of arrivals, numbers of deaths and number of people missing (presumed drowned) in the Central Mediterranean.
The findings show that the accusations levelled against the humanitarian vessels are not substantiated by evidence. Importantly, the involvement of humanitarian vessels was associated with a significant improvement in maritime safety compared to other periods. Without these boats, the counts of dead and missing at sea would likely have been considerably higher. The proactive search and rescue by humanitarian vessels have thus played a crucial and lifesaving role. Find out more about the main findings of the research by reading the full report and the policy brief by ISPI (Italian Institute for International Political Studies).
Credits
Interactive map and data visualisations developed by Code for Africa, with additional support from the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ).
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