HIGHLIGHTS
Recent months have seen a marked increase in the number of Syrians seeking refuge further afield, notably in Europe. There have been nearly 429,000 asylum applications by Syrians in Europe since 2011, but many more recent arrivals are yet to apply. For information on refugees and migrants crossing in the Mediterranean to Europe visit: http://data.unhcr.org/mediterranean/regional.php
Until May, the mixed movements of migrants and refugees across the Mediterranean to Europe, occurred mainly across the Central Mediterranean. By June and July, there was a significant increase in the number of arrivals in Greece, across the Eastern Mediterranean, with a majority of arrivals originating from refugee producing countries. Since January 2015, arrivals in Greece have reached over 400,000 persons, more than nine times the figures of 2014, an acceleration largely a result of the Syria crisis, with 70 per cent of the arrivals reported to be Syrians (moving from host countries in the region or from Syria transiting through host countries in the region). The overall number of sea arrivals in Europe has reached 615,895 persons, including 53 per cent Syrians.
The spike in Syrian refugees arriving in Europe, including from Syria directly, is mainly due to the loss of hope that a political solution will soon be found to end the war as well as to steadily deteriorating living conditions in exile, triggered by the humanitarian funding shortfall, felt by refugees in the region. Based on ongoing monitoring and assessments, surveys, focus group discussions, and daily interaction with refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt and Iraq, UNHCR has also identified limited livelihood and education opportunities, hurdles to renew legal residency, and refugees feeling increasingly unsafe as reasons for onward movement. Further information on this is available at: http://www.unhcr.org/560523f26.html
Following the recent events in the Mediterranean Sea, resettlement countries have offered additional resettlement places for Syrian refugees in the MENA region. The 2015 resettlement submission target for Syrians has increased by 11,590 or over 42 per cent (from 27,500 to 35,750). As part of international burden and responsibility sharing, these offers serve to protect vulnerable refugees from further harm and help them to re-establish their lives. Since 2013, States have generously pledged a total of 130,408 places.