Migrants rest after being rescued by coast guards or reached the island by their own means, in the Arguineguin harbour, on the island of Gran Canaria, Spain November 20, 2020. "We face a human tragedy and no one can or should look the other way," Defense Minister Margarita Robles told state broadcaster RTVE. Her ministry has already turned over an old military warehouse for use as a camp for 800 people that opened this month. Municipalities, the military and even private companies will temporarily hand over property for the camps and shelters for the 7,000 migrants, Escriva said. Almost 17,000 people have reached the Canary Islands so far this year, more than 10 times last year's total, after making the dangerous Atlantic crossing from north Africa.

Source: The North Africa Journal November 20, 2020 16:41 UTC