OPERATIONAL CONTEXT
On the mainland, the evacuation of Piraeus Port was completed peacefully and refugees were transferred to Trikala, Oinofyta and Skaramangassites. UNHCR Attica worked closely with the Police and Coast Guard to ensure provision of information and to mediate between the authorities and refugees to avoid frictions. The Office of the Alternate Minister of Interior in charge of Migration Policy is currently identifying sites for longer and short term usage, as well as the Site Management Support (SMS) lead agencies per site. UNHCR is strengthening its site management support role in support of the authorities. The European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, Mr. Christos Stylianides, visited Alexandria, Giannitsa and Diavata sites in North Greece on 7-8 July 2016.
On the Aegean Islands, arrivals have been slightly increasing towards the end of the month. The arrivals are however much lower as compared to 2015 and the first months of 2016. Between 1 and 31 July, 1,855 refugees and migrants arrived by sea to Greece, a slight increase from the 1,554 who crossed in June 2016. By the end of July, 160,232 people had crossed the sea to Greece in 2016 compared to 130,103 in the same period in 2015. However, in the past four months, only 8,770 refugees and migrants have crossed the sea to Greece, in comparison to 117,662 in the same period in 2015. Of those arriving in Greece this year, 48% are from the Syrian Arab Republic, 25% from Afghanistan, and 15% from Iraq. 38% of arrivals were children, with men making up 41% and women 21%. A shipwreck was reported and four members of a Kurdish family, including two children, drowned due to high waves close to the Mytilini airport, Lesvos.
The border closure on 20 March 2016 and the implementation of the EU-Turkey statement had an impact on the composition of the arrivals in terms of nationality, gender and age. The total number of arrivals dropped considerably in April, reaching less than 30% by end of July. An average of 10% more male asylum seekers and a gradual decrease in women and children was observed after April 2016.