Following the sinking of a vessel carrying an estimated 150 migrants off the coast of Nouadhibou, Mauritania, on Wednesday, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is working to provide immediate assistance to 78 Gambian survivors.
IOM’s team in Mauritania is focusing on helping migrants recover from shock, providing appropriate medical treatment and providing first aid kits, blankets and other supplies, the IOM Banjul office said on Friday.
According to a statement, received, a member of IOM’s Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) team in The Gambia departed for Mauritania on Friday to support the local response.
A total of 85 survivors are accounted for, including 7 Senegalese, while the death toll has risen to 62. The vessel left The Gambia last Wednesday bound for the Canary Islands and ran out of fuel.
“IOM is coordinating with Mauritanian authorities and Gambian consular services to provide assistance to survivors.
Additionally, IOM is in touch with The Gambia Red Cross Society (GRCS), as well as the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Mauritania, on linking families who believe their loved ones were aboard the boat,” the statement said.