HIGHLIGHTS
UNHCR released its Winterization Plan for the Refugee Crisis in Europe, including an Emergency Appeal amounting to USD 96.15 million.
Greece witnessed over 42,000 refugees and migrants arriving by sea. The ferry strike from 2 to 6 November put additional pressure on already overstretched reception capacity on all islands. Around 19,000 people were stranded on the islands on 5 November.
Several shipwrecks occurred in Greek waters, taking the lives of 95 people and at least 37 people went missing. There is an urgent need to strengthen the search and rescue capacity in the Aegean Sea and increase legal pathways for refugees to reach Europe.
The new winter transit centre in Slavonski Brod in Croatia was opened. Authorities established a new special train service which transports refugees and migrants from Šid (Serbia) directly to the centre in Slavonski Brod and from there to Dobova (Slovenia). The winterized centre and coordinated transport arrangements ensure a more dignified transit and significantly reduce waiting times.
As part of its winterization efforts, 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. With temperatures dropping in the Western Balkan countries, preparations for the winter are ongoing in reception facilities and transit sites.
On 4 November, a first group of 30 asylum-seekers departed from Greece to Luxembourg, under the EU relocation scheme. A third group of asylum seekers was relocated from Italy to France