GENEVA: The UN decried Saturday “reliable reports” that smugglers and traffickers were impersonating its staff in Libya to target desperate migrants and refugees, and demanded action to hold them to account. “These criminals were spotted at disembarkation points and smuggling hubs, using vests and other items with logos similar to that of UNHCR,” it said in a statement. People smugglers have taken advantage of the turmoil, putting African migrants seeking to reach Europe at greater risk. Many migrants, intercepted or rescued at sea, find themselves detained in detention centres with poor conditions. UNHCR said Saturday that it and its partners are present at all the official disembarkation points “to provide lifesaving humanitarian and medical assistance”.

Source: Libya Today September 08, 2018 15:45 UTC