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Test publication

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After Italy ended its Mare Nostrum rescue programme in the Central Mediterranean in 2014, civil society organisations started deploying SAR vessels and reconnaissance aircraft, rescuing a significant number of migrants and asylum seekers in distress at sea.

In August 2014, the organisation Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS) deployed the vessel, Phoenix. Since then, several civil society organisations have deployed a total of 41 rescue vessels and four reconnaissance aircraft, mainly in the Central Mediterranean. These assets seek to reduce fatalities and bring rescued people to safety in the EU.

At the end of May 2024, 17 vessels and three aircraft were still deployed; the rest had discontinued operations. Eight vessels were under maintenance (Aita Mari, Louise Michel, Open Arms, Astral, ResQ People, Imara, Mare Jonio, and Sea Punk).