Greece

Key Figures

2,428 Dead and Missing in 2017 (as of 31 August 2017)
3,180 Dead and Missing in 2016 (as of 31 August 2016)
5,096 Dead and Missing in 2016

1. Introduction This Fifth Progress Report provides an update on the implementation of the Partnership Framework, as well as the actions taken in order to respond to the lessons learned identified in the Fourth Progress Report. Over the summer season, there has been a reduction in the number of crossings of irregular migrants through the Central Mediterranean route. In the months of July and August, 15 373 arrivals were recorded in Italy, compared to 44 846 in the same months in 2016.

“Today’s decision by the Court of Justice of the EU on the relocation scheme sends a very strong signal on the importance of solidarity and responsibility sharing among EU Member States.

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has been continuously advocating for a prompt implementation of the EU relocation scheme. We are encouraged by the emphasis in the Court’s ruling on the need to support Member States under pressure while facilitating access to protection for asylum-seekers.

Overview

HIGHLIGHTS

• CARGO DISPATCHED: 474 MT

• VALUE OF GOODS DISPATCHED: 1.91 million USD

• TOTAL SHIPMENTS: 26

• PARTNERS SERVED: 9

UNHRD is a network of depots around the world (in Ghana, Italy, UAE, Malaysia, Panama, Spain) that procures, stores, manages and transports emergency items on behalf of the humanitarian community.

Geneva – IOM, the UN Migration Agency reports that 125,860 migrants and refugees entered Europe by sea in 2017 through 3 September. This compares with 289,681 arrivals across the region through 3 September 2016.

This summer, the European Commission and the International Organization for Migration’s (IOM) Regional Office in Brussels signed a Direct Agreement for the implementation of the project REHEALTH 2 which aims to test the further use of the Personal Health Record - a tool designed to integrate migrants and refugees in EU health systems.

SUMMARY

June saw the launch of the radio advertising campaign to help NRC identify more apartments for rent. Adverts were broadcast several times a day on 6 stations in and around Thessaloniki for 3 weeks. It was very successful with hundreds of calls from owners resulting in 220 visits to potential new flats. This month an extra 80 flats leased, 101 people left the flats whilst 83 joined and the occupancy rate at the end of the month was 67%, down from 85% at the end of the month of may due to the acceleration in the number of flats leased.

Basheer thought he could make it. He was 18, in good health and knew how to swim. But the Evros River crossing takes many victims.

Wet, cold, tired and lost, a mother and son who successfully crossed Evros lay down on the riverbank afterward. Hypothermia killed both. Another family buried their 4-year-old near the river after a train hit her while the family was walking along nearby tracks.

Geneva – Since 9 August, IOM, the UN Migration Agency, has not received any reports of migrant deaths in the Mediterranean. The total count for Mediterranean Sea fatalities has remained at 2,410 for 20 days. Just 19 deaths have been recorded in the region so far in all of August by IOM, a sharp drop from the 689 recorded in August 2015 and 62 last year.

“UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, welcomes commitments made today at the Paris meeting on migration and asylum.

I am encouraged by the announcement of a comprehensive plan of action that will support long-term solutions to the complex issue of mixed migration and help address its root causes, in close cooperation with countries of origin and transit and in line with international law.

• Total arrivals in Greece (Jan - Aug 2017): 14,338

• Total arrivals in Greece during Aug 2017: 2,803

• Average daily arrivals during Aug 2017: 122

• Average daily arrivals during Jul 2017: 73

• Daily estimated departures from islands to Mainland: 263

• Estimated departures from islands to Mainland during Aug 2017: 1,794

Monthly trend report

Covering mixed migration to, through & from NORTH AFRICA

About: MHub is the regional knowledge hub and secretariat for the North Africa Mixed Migration Task Force, comprising of DRC, IOM, OHCHR, RMMS, Save the Children, UNHCR, UNICEF and UNODC. It promotes a human rights-based approach to ensure the protection of people moving in mixed and complex flows to, through and from North Africa.

Overview

In 2017, between January and June, 99,865 refugees and migrants crossed the Mediterranean Sea from North Africa and Turkey. Most crossed the central Mediterranean from Libya to Italy. The top five countries of origin during this period were Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Bangladesh, Guinea (Conakry) and The Gambia. In the first six months of 2017, 74% of arrivals were men, 15% children, and 11% women.