The heartbreaking picture of young Aylan Kurdi who was found drowned yesterday on a beach in Turkey
SINN Féin MEP Martina Anderson has said urgent action is needed from the international community to deal with the continuing humanitarian crisis in the Mediterranean.
The refugee crisis is deepening across Europe as families flee war torn Syria in the hope of building a new and peaceful life.
Yesterday, the horrific image of young three-year-old Syrian boy Aylan Kurdi beamed around the world, highlighting the suffering of children caught up in humanitarian crisis.
It was a grim reminder to the world’s politicians that an urgent solution is needed to the mass migration of people seeking refuge and political asylum.
Aylan was one of 12 people who died after their boat capsized off the coast of Turkey.
Ms Anderson said: “The humanitarian crisis in the Mediterranean with people fleeing conflict in Syria and throughout the Middle East has been increasing over the last year.
“The scale of this crisis has been graphically and starkly brought home to us all with the heartbreaking image of a three year-old boy laying dead on a beach having drowned in the Mediterranean after trying to reach a new life in Europe.
“No one could fail to have been moved by this horrendous sight.
A grim-face policeman cradles Aylan’s body in his arms after his remains were washed up on a beach
“The international community, and the European Union in particular, have a key role to play in addressing what is first and foremost a humanitarian crisis.
“Clearly the EU member states can and need do more to help end the suffering. They need to take in more refugees right across Europe to help prevent further tragedies.”
