Libya has become the main point of departure for migrants and refugees trying to cross the Mediterranean by boat to Europe since the route between Turkey and Greece was largely closed off last year. A record 181,000 made the journey last year, most on flimsy boats operated by people-smugglers. The death toll in the Mediterranean – the most dangerous border crossing on the planet for migrants and refugees – is estimated to be at least 5,000 last year.
Award-winning photojournalist David Ramos joined the crew of the Spanish NGO Proactiva Open Arms vessel Golfo Azzurro during a search and rescue mission off the coast of Libya for migrants who continue to make the perilous journey across the Mediterranean in hope of reaching the European mainland.
Migrants and refugees are crowded on board a wooden boat sailing out of control 20 miles (38km) north of Sabratha, LibyaDavid Ramos/Getty Images
Migrants and refugees are seen packed together on wooden boat sailing out of control 20 miles (38km) north of Sabratha, LibyaDavid Ramos/Getty Images
Migrants and refugees look relieved as they are assisted by members of the Spanish NGO Proactiva Open ArmsDavid Ramos/Getty Images
Migrants and refugees are assisted by members of the Spanish NGO Proactiva Open Arms as they are rescued from a wooden boatDavid Ramos/Getty Images
Hossia Mohamad, three, of Syria is assisted by members of Proactiva Open Arms as he and his family are rescued from a wooden boatDavid Ramos/Getty Images
Alham Hlopi, 22, of Syria is assisted by members of the Spanish NGODavid Ramos/Getty Images
Migrants and refugees from Syria rest in an inflatable dinghy after being rescued from a wooden boatDavid Ramos/Getty Images
An empty wooden boat is left behind after migrants and refugees were assisted by members of the Spanish NGO Proactiva Open ArmsDavid Ramos/Getty Images
Refugees and migrants are transferred to the Proactiva Open Arms vessel Golfo AzzurroDavid Ramos/Getty Images
Migrants rest on the deck of the Spanish NGO Proactiva Open Arms rescue vessel Golfo AzzurroDavid Ramos/Getty Images
A man holds a tearful child as they stand on the deck of the Proactiva Open Arms rescue vessel Golfo AzzurroDavid Ramos/Getty Images
A west African woman looks out from a cabin area on board the Golfo AzzurroDavid Ramos/Getty Images
Rescued refugees and migrants rest on the deck of the Golfo AzzurroDavid Ramos/Getty Images
Refugees and migrants sleep on the deck of the Golfo Azzurro after being rescued off the Libyan coastDavid Ramos/Getty Images
Refugees and migrants sleep on the deck of the Proactiva Open Arms rescue vessel after being rescued off the Libyan coast, north of SabrathaDavid Ramos/Getty Images
A migrant from Togo looks out to sea from the deck of the Golfo Azzurro as it sails towards the Italian port of PozzalloDavid Ramos/Getty Images
A migrant feeling sick sits on the deck of the Proactiva Open Arms rescue vessel as it sails towards the Italian port of PozzalloDavid Ramos/Getty Images
Refugees and migrants stand on the deck of the Golfo Azzurro after being rescued by the Italian Coast GuardDavid Ramos/Getty Images
Najwa Musse, 16, and her boyfriend Suleiman Ahmed, 18, both from Libya, stand together on the deck of the rescue vessel operated by the Spanish NGO Proactiva Open ArmsDavid Ramos/Getty Images
Najwa Musse, 16, and her boyfriend Suleiman Ahmed, 18, comfort each other on the deck of the Golfo AzzurroDavid Ramos/Getty Images
Refugees and migrants sleep wrapped in blankets on deck of the Golfo AzzurroDavid Ramos/Getty Images
Refugees and migrants wait to disembark from the Golfo Azzurro upon its arrival in Pozzallo, ItalyDavid Ramos/Getty Images
Italian doctors check and classify refugees and migrants on the deck of the Golfo Azzurro before they disembark in PozzalloDavid Ramos/Getty Images
Italian doctors help a man to disembark from the Golfo Azzurro in Pozzallo, SicilyDavid Ramos/Getty Images
Italian police identify people disembarking from the Spanish NGO Proactiva Open Arms rescue vessel in Pozzallo, SicilyDavid Ramos/Getty Images
Proactiva Open Arms is a Spanish charity based in Malta providing search and rescue assistance to refugees and migrants in distress at sea. Find out more here.
