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Greece + 14 more

UNHCR Regional Bureau Europe: Weekly Report (Updated October 28, 2016 12:27 PM)

Attachments

Key Figures
Mediterranean
332,492
arrivals by sea in 2016*
3,930
dead/missing in 2016*

Trends of Sea Arrivals

During the week of 17 to 23 October, 613 refugees and migrants crossed the sea to Greece from Turkey – a slight decrease from the 808 that crossed the previous week. So far in October, 2,419 people have arrived – an average of 113 per day in comparison to the 103 per day on average that arrived in September. As previously observed during the month of October, Samos received the majority (53%) of new sea arrivals with 328 recorded arrivals during the week, followed by Lesvos with 116 and Chios with 64 arrivals. As of 23 October, 169,243 refugees and migrants have crossed the sea to Greece – main countries of origin of those who arrived in Greece remain the Syrian Arab Republic (47%), Afghanistan (25%) and Iraq (15%). Of these, 42% were men, 21% women and 37% children.

In the same week, according to UNHCR estimates, 3,992 refugees and migrants arrived by sea to Italy, including approximately 426 unaccompanied and separated children (UASC) – Libya continues to be the main point of departure. As of 23 October, 149,117 persons arrived by sea, compared to 140,987 persons disembarked at the end of October 2015. This is a recent increase compared to sea arrivals in 2015. As of 21 October, 21% of arrivals have been from Nigeria, 13% from Eritrea and 7% each from Cote d’Ivoire and Guinea. According to the latest data provided by the Ministry of Interior, 19,429 UASC have arrived to Italy by sea in 2016 compared to 12,360 in 2015.

Key Developments

Situation in Greece

With an average of 108 daily arrivals so far in October, Reception and Identification Centres (RICs) on the islands continue to be overcrowded On Lesvos, tensions are on the rise among residents of Moria RIC due to overcrowding, continued delays in registration, lack of information on asylum claims, and inadequate living conditions.

In the early morning hours of 24 October, Asylum Service buildings at Moria RIC were set on fire as a group of people protested over the long stay and delays on the examination of asylum applications. A fire brigade and riot police arrived on the scene to extinguish the fire and restore order. Serious damage was caused to about eight mobile offices, there were no reports of any injuries. On Samos, capacity is also overstretched and authorities have resorted to hosting some 300 people in tents within a fenced off extension of the RIC. UNHCR in coordination with Greek authorities (KEPOM) continued to organize the transfer of fully registered and declared admissible asylum-seekers from the islands to the mainland.
Host communities and asylum-seekers on the Aegean Islands have repeatedly raised concerns over the increased tensions. Improved reception conditions on the islands, acceleration of transfers, swifter registration and processing of asylum claims along with regular information provision and security presence are urgently needed to help improve the situation on the islands.

Taking into account recent unrest and protests in sites on the mainland and islands, UNHCR remains concerned about the security and safety situations within the sites for residents and humanitarian workers alike. In addition to improvement of security measures and addressing the underlying causes UNHCR continues to advocate with the Greek Reception and Identification Service (RIS) for the strengthening of the identification and management of cases involving individuals with specific needs including Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) and UASC cases in various sites. Effective strategies coupled with constant security presence need to be put in place for SGBV prevention and response in the centres and sites managed by the authorities.

UNHCR and NGOs have raised concerns in regards to the need of following relevant procedures connected to the transfer of UASC to and from their place of temporary residence for the full registration of their applications for asylum, following an individual authorization/order from the local Public Prosecutor. In Central Greece, an issue of concern continues to be that of the separation of larger families for registration appointments with the Asylum Service. UNHCR has intervened by informing the Asylum Service of necessary corrections in respect of the appointments.

Alongside partners in the field, UNHCR continues to conduct information sessions for asylum-seekers on topics including asylum procedures. UNHCR liaises with the Asylum Service on questions that arise in these sessions including those related to appointments.

The accommodation project in support of the relocation program funded by the European Union established 643 new places as of 23 October, reaching a total of 14,322 (71 % of the 20,000 target of UNHCR and its partners by the end of 2016). Over 15,000 persons have benefitted from the program since November 2015.

With winter quickly approaching, there is still an urgent need for authorities to implement winterization plans throughout government-run sites to ensure the wellbeing and safety of asylum-seekers. So far construction work for winterization is underway in Nea Kavla and planned for sites in Lagkadikia, Chorygi, Schisto, Filippiada Alexandria and most likely Kara Tepe and Moria.

In preparation for winter, UNHCR has started to deliver over 200,000 winter items to up to 38,000 asylum-seekers on the mainland and islands. In addition, UNHCR is working on infrastructural upgrades such as the provision of heating and continues to offer support to the Greek Government regarding winterization needs. In Katsikas 60 prefab housing containers were installed, while in Agia Eleni construction works will be finalized in one month with a capacity to allocate an estimated 120 people.