Morocco rescues 344 illegal immigrants off coasts
July 17, 2021, 7:58 am

Morocco rescues 344 illegal immigrants off coasts

The Middle East Monitor reported the the Moroccan News Agency (MAP) said Moroccan Navy has rescued 344 migrants who were facing "difficulties" in the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean over the past four days.

MAP quoted a military source as saying that the Royal Navy "provided assistance to 344 illegal immigrants, who are mostly from sub-Saharan African countries, including women and children who were experiencing difficulties on wooden ships."

The source explained that these operations took place between 10-14 July, noting that "the rescued people received first aid on board the Royal Navy boats", before being transferred to nearby ports to be handed over to the Royal Gendarmerie.

Morocco's northern coast on the Mediterranean Sea is a major departure point for migrants heading to Spain, which is only a few kilometres away. While the country's southern coast is a migration route to the Spanish Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean. This, however, is 100 kilometres away.

The Royal Navy announced in early July that 244 migrants had been rescued on the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts in two days, noting that "some of them were in extremely critical health condition."

Arrivals from sub-Saharan Africa usually make up the majority of migrants who cross the sea to reach Europe onboard the 'death boats', as they have been dubbed by Moroccans.

Figures released by the Spanish Ministry of the Interior show that between 1 January and 30 June 2021, 12,622 migrants arrived in Spain by sea, compared to 7,256 the year before.

The Caminando Fronteras organization said that about 2,100 migrants died while trying to reach Spain by sea during the first six months of 2021, the vast majority while on their way to the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean.

Source: memo
Image source: FADEL SENNA/AFP via Getty Images-memo

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has announced its sponsorship of the “Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition (GU - IST Solutions), hosted by Gulf University at its main campus.
This strategic sponsorship reflects BENEFIT’s active role in advancing technological innovation and fostering sustainable solutions to future challenges. It also seeks to empower Bahraini youth by enhancing their skills, capabilities, and competitiveness in innovation and solution development—contributing meaningfully to the broader goals of sustainable development across all sectors.
As part of BENEFIT’s active involvement in the competition, the company has announced that Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication, will serve on the competition’s supervisory committee. Her upcoming participation reflects BENEFIT’s forward-looking commitment to championing academic and professional excellence.
Commenting on the occasion, Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication at BENEFIT, said, “We are privileged to support this pioneering initiative, which aligns seamlessly with BENEFIT’s enduring commitment to fostering innovation and nurturing the potential of Bahrain’s youth. Our participation is rooted in a deep sense of social responsibility and a firm belief in the pivotal role of innovation in shaping a sustainable future. Through such platforms, we seek to empower the next generation with the knowledge, skills, and foresight required to develop impactful solutions that address future challenges, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030.”
Dr. Aseel Al Ayash Dean of the College of Engineering in Gulf University commented, “We extend our sincere gratitude to BENEFIT for their generous sponsorship and support of the Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition. This contribution plays an instrumental role in helping us achieve the strategic goals of this initiative, namely, cultivating a culture of innovation and sustainability, encouraging efforts that address the imperatives of sustainable development, and enhancing the practical and professional capabilities of our students and participants.”
The event will bring together a diverse spectrum of participants, including secondary school students, university undergraduates, engineers, industry professionals, entrepreneurs, academic researchers, and subject matter experts representing a wide range of disciplines.
The competition seeks to inspire participants to develop and present innovative, sustainable technologies aimed at addressing pressing environmental, social, and economic challenges. It encourages the formulation of business models that integrate advanced technological solutions with core principles of sustainability. Moreover, it serves as a platform for emerging leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators to contribute to the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals, promote the ethos of responsible technology, and demonstrate its transformative potential across various sectors.
Attendees will have the opportunity to view a series of project presentations submitted by participants, covering diverse areas such as eco-friendly product design, smart and sustainable innovations, renewable energy technologies, water conservation and management, waste minimisation and recycling, green architectural solutions, and sustainable transportation systems. Outstanding projects will be formally recognised and awarded at the conclusion of the event.