HIGHLIGHTS
Greece witnessed over 62,000 refugees and migrants arriving by sea, the highest weekly arrival figure so far. Over half a million persons arrived in Greece this year, with more than 50% arriving since September and around 300,000 on the island of Lesvos alone. The situation on Lesvos remains critical.
The closure of Hungary’s green border with Croatia on 17 October, led to a redirection of the population movement from Croatia to Slovenia.
People stranded in transit points and the increased numbers of people on the move, led to a rise of tensions, refugees and migrants spending the night in the rain and a significant number of separated families. Deteriorating weather conditions further impacted people waiting in transit sites and border crossing points.
UNHCR continues to work with governments in different countries impacted by the emergency to improve reception conditions, including by expanding emergency shelter, supporting registration capacity, assisting persons with specific needs and providing information and translation services. UNHCR is ensuring protection presence on key border crossings by working in 24h shifts.
Preparations for the winter are ongoing in reception facilities and transit sites.
On 21 October, a second group of 66 asylum-seekers departed from Italy to Sweden and Finland, under the EU relocation scheme.