The situation
As of today, more than 1,070,000 people are reported to have crossed to Europe since the beginning of 2015. The main migratory entry point remains Greece, with over 915,000 arrivals registered (856,723 in 2015 and 58,547 until 30 January 2016).1 91% of the migrants arriving to Greece are composed of nationals of Syria (55%), Afghanistan (25%) and Iraq 11%).2 Other countries of origin represented in the region are Eritrea, Pakistan, Nigeria, Somalia, Morocco, Bangladesh, among others.3 Demographically, we can still see a majority presence of adult males among the migrants on the move (57%), but we encounter more families, which is translated into an increasing number of children (27%) and women (17%).
The proportion of children amongst refugees and migrants has continued to increase over the past three months. According to national sources, in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, the ratio in December was 37 percent, compared to 23 percent in September. In Serbia, the figures were 36 percent in December compared to 27 percent in September.4 A recent report from Amnesty International indicates that women and girls coming into Europe are facing violence and sexual harassment at every stage of their journey.5 The main current humanitarian concerns are the selective entry procedures, registration and entry limits and the effect the deteriorating weather conditions may have on the humanitarian response.6 The combination of strong winds, high waves and lower water temperatures in recent weeks has made the journey across the sea to Greece more difficult, resulting in lower arrival numbers. Due to deteriorating weather conditions, several rescue operations took place on the waters near Lesvos, Kos and Samos for boats in distress. As of 29 January, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) recorded the deaths of at least 244 refugees and migrants who tried to reach Europe via the Mediterranean Sea, nearly three times the 82 people who died last January, and overwhelmingly more than the 12 people who died in January 2014.7 The migratory flow still continues in spite of worsening weather conditions or border restrictions, and the situation remains unpredictable.
Changes on border policy controls developed by nations such as Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, which are limiting the entry into their territories to nationalities (Syrians, Iraqis and Afghanis) continue to be implemented. Tensions among the migrants remain vivid due to the uncertainty of their situation. The results of the border restriction policies are making migrants look for alternative routes, which include Bulgaria and Albania (the latter leading towards Italy).
Moreover, six Schengen countries (Austria, Germany, France, Sweden, Denmark and non-EU member Norway) have reintroduced additional checks and restrictions at their respective borders. While more and more European countries are imposing border controls, Germany warned that Afghan nationals would not be considered as refugees and they may face the risk of being sent back to Afghanistan in case they want to apply for asylum in Germany. After re-introduced border controls in EU countries, Austria announced on 20 January 2016 a cap on asylum-seekers and warned that it would take only 37,500 in 2016.
On 25 January 2016, the EU Interior Ministers gathered in Amsterdam for informal talks to discuss the migration situation and border control related issues. Regarding the re-introduced border controls in the Schengen area, the Ministers agreed that shorter-term dispensations for border controls, which end in May, could be extended for an additional two years.
European Union policies regarding migrant issues so far have only been slowly implemented and the anticipated effects on migration issues still have to be seen. After eight months of summits, debates and joint declarations, the EU has yet to implement policies it has agreed to, for example regarding the relocation process.8 There were hopes that the relocation scheme would result in a more even distribution of asylum seekers across the 28 EU member states. Since the agreements by the European Council in September 2015 to relocate a total of 160,000 asylum seekers from the “front-line” states of Greece and Italy to other EU states over two years, only 414 asylum seekers have been relocated in the past four months.9 Austria has recently suspended its participation in the relocation scheme, while Hungary and Slovakia are challenging in court the quotas they are supposed to receive, and Denmark and the UK opted out from the beginning. Overwhelmed, Sweden has reversed its involvement, aiming to become a sending rather than a receiving country.
The IFRC is closely monitoring the situation and it is ready to adjust its response taking into account the evolving situation and factors which may trigger different scenarios to be implemented.