Ten Years of Change in the Mediterranean: The Evolution of Migration and the establishment of MAEC

The Director of MAEC, Regina Egle Liotta Catrambone, reflects on the changes that have occurred over the past 10 years in the Mediterranean and the urgent need to change the approach by addressing the root causes of migration.

Di Regina Egle Liotta Catrambone

Over the last decade, the Mediterranean has undergone significant transformations in the context of migration. When my family launched the first private search and rescue mission at sea with MOAS, the Mediterranean was tragically known as a watery grave. Thousands of lives were lost due to the absence of rescue operations in the open sea and the inability of states to intervene effectively. The need for action was evident, and in 2014 we decided to invest our personal resources, introducing drone technology to save the most vulnerable lives.

Ten Years of Change
Today, a decade later, much has changed. Thanks to the tireless work of many NGOs, the Mediterranean is no longer just a place of death but also one of hope, where lives are saved daily. However, the challenges remain immense: wars, climate change, and unsustainable living conditions continue to push more people to seek refuge. We cannot limit ourselves to sea rescues; it is crucial to address the root causes of these forced migrations.

From the Front Lines to Prevention
This shift in perspective is the result of years of work in the field. In 2017, MOAS Italia expanded its mission by going to Bangladesh to support the Rohingya, a persecuted population in Myanmar. That experience confirmed that it’s not just about rescuing people, but also about educating and preventing future crises.

The Book and the Birth of MAEC
My book, “Collecting the Sea with a Teaspoon”, published by Città Nuova Roma, emerged from these experiences. I felt the need to give voice to the stories of migrants, which are often reduced to mere statistics in the news. But the commitment didn’t stop there. Out of this urgency, we decided to transform MOAS Italia into the MAEC – Mediterranean Aid Education Center.

We expanded our efforts, focusing not only on supporting sea rescues but also on prevention. By informing people in their countries of origin and transit about the dangers of irregular journeys and the legal pathways to a safe future, we hope to prevent unnecessary tragedies.

MAEC’s Commitment in Tunisia
Recently, MAEC launched an exploratory mission in Tunisia, collaborating with universities and local NGOs to prevent tragedies like that of Nabila, a young student who lost her life in a shipwreck, and Yissa, a Senegalese migrant who might have chosen a safer route had she known about the dangers of human trafficking.

Safe and Legal Routes: The Key to the Future
Sea rescues are crucial, but promoting Safe and Legal Routes is equally important in combating human trafficking. Knowledge and access to legal pathways can mean the difference between life and death. With MAEC’s support, we will continue to raise awareness and provide information so that no one has to risk their life in search of safety.

Our work doesn’t stop here. MAEC will continue to expand its activities, addressing not only immediate emergencies but also the root causes of migration. Every life saved is a step towards a more just world. We will keep working, inspired by the stories of those we meet, convinced that together, we can truly make a difference.

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