HIGHLIGHTS
As of 18 July 2016 some 241,263 people crossed the Mediterranean Sea reaching Europe. During the reporting period, the trend in sea arrivals continued to decrease through the Eastern Mediterranean with approximately 1,327 people arriving to Greece contributing to 158,377 for the first half of 2016. As of 18 July, 79,851 persons have arrived by sea to Italy in 2016, compared to 93,540 at the end of July 2015.
UNHCR, in collaboration with its partners, continues to respond to the refugee situation in Europe through a combination of advocacy, technical assistance to Governments, capacity-building, and solution-driven services to assist asylumseekers. Since the start of this emergency, UNHCR has mobilized staff and resources in 20 different locations to provide life-saving assistance and protection.
Throughout the reporting period, UNHCR and EASO have been providing continuous support to the Greek Asylum Service by successfully conducting a preregistration exercise since 8 June 2016. The exercise will allow local authorities to capture information on the asylum-seeking population and get a better understanding of their needs.
UNHCR has supported the Greek authorities’ efforts to ensure protection and assistance to unaccompanied and separated children (UASC) including by expanding the accommodation capacity for UASC and establishing safe spaces in temporary reception sites throughout the mainland. As of 18 July, UNHCR provided 221 accommodation places for UASC and an additional 280 are planned.
During the reporting period in Serbia, UNHCR assisted over 1,700 individuals by referring them to appropriate asylum, medical, and reception services.
On 5 July, new legislation entered into force in Hungary extending border control to an 8 km area into Hungarian territory. The measures have resulted in an increase in asylum-seekers awaiting admission at designated transit zones near the border facing dire conditions without adequate facilities. While the number of those awaiting admission to the two ‘transit zones’ in Hungary reached over 1,400 humanitarian agencies and the authorities continued providing assistance to address the consequent humanitarian, protection, and security concerns.
Refugees and migrants who are using dangerous smuggling networks through the Balkans have reported experiencing violence and exploitation by different groups of perpetrators in the region which is of grave concern.
KEY FIGURES
241,263 Refugees and migrants arriving by sea to Europe in 2016 (as of 18 July).
2,951 Refugees and migrants estimated to have died / gone missing at sea in 2016 (as of 18 July). Compared to 3,766 in 2015.
158,937 Estimated sea arrivals to Greece in 2016 (as of 18 July) compared to 856,723 total arrivals in 2015.
79,851 Estimated sea arrivals to Italy in 2016 (as of 18 July) compared to 153,842 total arrivals in 2015.
USD 380M Total 2016 requirements for UNHCR’s activities in the context of the Regional Refugee and Migrant Response Plan for Europe.
USD 166M Funding received for UNHCR’s activities thus far in Europe in 2016.
PRIORITIES
Strengthen reception capacity and living conditions through support and advocacy with States and civil society actors.
Empower community-based initiatives aimed at finding immediate and long-term solutions for asylum-seekers and refugees.
Ensure concentrated support to persons with specific needs such as cases concerning SGBV and UASC.