Attachments
HIGHLIGHTS
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Ahead of the Visegrad Group Summit on 15 February in Prague, UNHCR urged leaders in Central Europe to show greater solidarity with desperate refugees who seek sanctuary in the continent as war, conflict and extremism force millions out of their homes.
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In an informal meeting of European Union and Foreign Affairs Ministers on 5-6 February in Amsterdam, the Croatian Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Mr. Miro Kovac, stated that Croatia supports the idea of stepping up controls on the Greek-former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonian border if Greece is unable to control its border with Turkey, but that decision would require the consent of all EU member states. He also added that Croatia wished to remain a transit country and, if host countries such as Germany and Austria closed their borders to refugees, Croatia would as well.
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The Turkish spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Tanju Bilgiç, announced new visa regulations for Iraqi nationals. Previously, Iraqi citizens were able to enter Turkey by obtaining e-visas (sticker type visas) valid for 30 days, at the Turkish borders. However, as stated on 6 February, Iraqi nationals are required to apply for a visa through diplomatic representations of Turkey abroad.
KEY FIGURES
80,754 Refugees and migrants arriving by sea to Europe in 2016.
403 Refugees and migrants estimated to have died / gone missing at sea in 2016.
1,189 Average daily sea arrivals in Greece from 5 – 11 February 2016.
382,284 UNHCR thermal blankets distributed since the start of the crisis.
52,265 UNHCR sleeping mats distributed since the start of the crisis.
USD 235.8M: Total 2016 requirements for UNHCR’s activities in the context of the Regional Refugee and Migrant Response Plan for Europe.
USD 107.5M: Funding received for UNHCR’s activities in Europe in 2016.