United Nations, September 8 (RHC)-- UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has urged European leaders to take collective action to tackle the worsening refugee crisis, saying Europe should try to “be the voice of those in need of protection and … quickly find a joint approach to share responsibilities equitably.‎"

The UN chief also warned of the spread of “xenophobia, discrimination, and violence against migrants and refugees in Europe,” hoping that “any manifestation of these phenomena would be addressed firmly and without delay.”

The United Nations estimates 300,000 people have left the Middle East and North Africa for Europe this year, but 2,500 have died in the attempt, the majority during dangerous voyages across the Mediterranean in rickety boats.