Sea Watch set sail again; other reports of boats in distress in the Mediterranean and new illegal pushbacks among the themes of this week's podcast.

Considering that Frontex continues its pushback policies, the EU Commission proposed a €7 billion plan to "stimulate the economies of the EU's partner nations" and "curb irregular migration" - the funds will go to Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Syria and Tunisia between 2021 and 2027, through the new Neighbourhood Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) of the European Union.

It is appalling when the migrants' unimaginable struggle for a better life is met with locals' racist and aggressive behavior, openly encouraged by political right-wing parties such as Vox - that is increasingly the case on the Spanish Canary Islands.

Although so many migrants are stranded in different parts of Europe and are constant struggling to survive, the only resolution made by Europe with regard to migration policies was to suspend Frontex operations with Hungary...

It's been another week of tragic events in the Mediterranean and in the so called camps in Southeast Europe, where migrants are currently suffering due to the cold weather and worsening living conditions. Besides,

The weather conditions in Southeast Europe are worsening and so is the situation of the migrants currently found in Bosnia, at the Lipa camp, as well as in Greece, at Moria 2 camp. Urgent measures need to be taken.

Among constant crises involving migrants in the Balkans and the Mediterranean, in Italy steps were taken in the name of justice: Sea-Eye filed a lawsuit against the detention of its ship, Alan Kurdi and the judge presiding over the preliminary investigations for Palermo's court in the case against the ex-minister of internal affairs, Matteo Salvini (accused of illegal confinement and misuse of authority), has accepted the request to establish Mediterranea Saving Humans as a civil party in the case.

The situation of the refugees at the former Lipa tent camp in Bosnia is still desperate: up to 500 people remained stranded and suffered the severe winter conditions. Much of the camp was destroyed by fire on the day it was officially closed down.

The most important facts from the Mediterranean: Week 51

The IOM is requiring further funding for protection and critical assistance to vulnerable migrants from West and Central Africa along the Central and Western Mediterranean routes.Analysts have warned that the EU should actually be focusing on creating safe routes to seek protection, not on increasing pressure on African countries to take back migrants in exchange for development aid...

The most important facts from the Mediterranean: Week 50

Italy is desperately trying to regain importance in Libya, but fails to comprehend the power Turkey has gained over the North-African country. On the same note, Europe has not been able to impose any economic sanctions or weapons embargo on Turkey and continues to do nothing about the general refugee situation: the new Moria camp is, unfortunately, a tragic example of that...