Numerous humanitarian organisations are running campaigns to inform (potential) asylum seekers of the dangers of irregular migration and of the difficulties of legalising their stay in Europe. But a reality check reveals that these efforts are no match for the flood of disinformation young Africans are exposed to.

We didn’t think it would happen to us – Mapping and evaluation of CwC Activities along the Central Mediterranean Route is Transcultural Campaigning’s new publication. It shows that enticing messages and encouragement for leaving comes from the African smuggling industry. This being corroborated by many Africans in Europe who report about the great life they have, but gloss over the dangers and difficulties. Such messages are welcome, and have so much more street credibility among young Africans than warnings coming from impersonal international institutions.

The study was commissioned by UNHCR but carries a strong message for all humanitarian organisations: to have a real impact, awareness campaigns need to be stepped up massively – in scope and in sophistication.

All new arrivals our researchers interviewed in Malta said that they either knew nothing or underestimated the horrors of torture, ransom extortion and suffering in Libya when they left home. Equally, they were not aware of the difficult and lengthy asylum procedures in Europe and the risk of being sent back after many wasted years of suffering. And waiting.