Weekly Report Regional December 9, 2016 4:24 PM Bureau data.unhcr.org Europe

Weekly Report Trends of Sea Arrivals Key Developments Between 28 November and 04 December 2016, 144 ref- 28 04 ugees and migrants crossed the sea to , a signif- Situation in Greece 11 12 icant decrease from the 481 who crossed the previous During the reporting period, UNHCR continued its win- week. Notably, there were no sea arrivals to the Aegean terization intervention in support of the Greek authori- islands during five days out of the week. However, re- ties. UNHCR is focusing its winterization efforts on four ports of sporadic land arrivals have been observed. On areas: 1) replacement of tents with prefab family housing Key Figures 30 November, Greek authorities apprehended about 70 units; 2) evacuation of sites not suitable for winter; 3) win- refugees and migrants, including children, in a snowy terized tents; and 4) upgrade of electricity/infrastructure. Mediterranean forest near the Northern city of . Members As of the end of November UNHCR installed more than of the group, who said they were Syrians, reported to 500 housing units providing roofed shelter to 2,500 per- 352,093 have crossed the Greek-Turkish border and to have sons. By the end of the year UNHCR will reach more than arrivals by sea in 2016* been transported to the area hidden in a truck. A total of 1,000 housing units, protecting some 5,000 persons in 1,991 sea arrivals landed during November, a decrease some of the neediest sites in the country. In order to from the 2,970 who arrived in October this year. Thus far, avoid future risks of fire, UNHCR developed fire hazard 4,733 171,785 persons have arrived to Greece by sea in com- and safety warning messages in multiple languages in dead/missing in 2016* parison to 747,981 who crossed during the same period print and video with the International Rescue Committee in 2015. As of 04 December, the main countries of or- and Internews for distribution to all sites. igin of those who arrived in Greece remain the Syrian Arab Republic (47%), Afghanistan (24%) and Iraq (15%); In 2016 the European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid children comprised 37% of arrivals with men making up and Civil Protection department (ECHO) and UNHCR 42% and women 21%. have been working with humanitarian partners within the Cash Working Group to prepare a lessons learned During the same period, 2,151 persons (including approx- report and recommendations for the cash strategy work- imately 251 unaccompanied and separated children) shop to be led by ECHO and the Greek government on 5 arrived to Italy by sea, compared to 2,562 who arrived December. Cash assistance, as part of the humanitarian during the previous week. Between 01 January and 04 aid provided by different agencies, among them UNHCR, December 2016, 173,121 persons arrived by sea, com- will be implemented in the urban areas of Athens and pared to 144,205 persons who disembarked at the end Thessaloniki by early 2017. In sites food distribution will of November 2015 and 153,842 at the end of December likely to continue and people will receive cash for other 2015. This represents a recent increase compared to sea needs, until safe cooking facilities can be provided and arrivals in 2015 (20%). UNHCR is monitoring potential catering can be discontinued. factors impacting on such increase, including relatively favourable weather conditions, reduced prices by smug- On 30 November, UNHCR completed the evacuation of glers and an increasingly reported tendency of smug- Petra Olympou. In coordination with the Ministry of Mi- glers to overload dinghies. gration Policy (MoMP), the Police, the Army, ADRA and

Average Arrivals to Greece and Italy per Month January to 04 December 2016

70,000 67,415 Italy Greece 57,066 60,000

50,000 Greece

40,000

26,971 Italy 30,000 28,377 27,313 22,371 23,423 19,925 20,000 13,470 15,783

9,676 9,149 10,000 5,273 3,828 3,650 3,630 3,207 2,991 1,721 1,554 2,642 1,991 0 January February March April May June July August September October November

* data.unhcr.org/mediterranean as of 08 December 2016

1 Weekly Report Regional December 9, 2016 4:24 PM Bureau data.unhcr.org Europe

Key Figures UNHCR, 1,127 Yezidis were provided accommodation in (98% of the targeted 20,000) by the end of the report- hotels and apartments through UNHCR’s accommoda- ing period. The project has benefited a total of 19,610 tion scheme in , , and Athens. asylum-seekers so far. On 29 November the Municipality In addition, 200 asylum-seekers have already been of Livadia (Central Greece) received the first 15 accom- moved from Malakasa to alternative accommodation modation candidates (2 different families) in its district. sites. UNHCR is currently assisting with the transporta- Greece tion of vulnerable families from Cherso. Following the tragic incident at Moria Reception and Identification Centre (RIC) on the island of Lesvos which The accommodation capacity in support to the Greek resulted in the death of an elderly Iraqi woman and a Government through the relocation scheme funded by young boy, the Registration and Asylum Office (RAO) has the European Union established a total of 102 places expedited the registration and issuance of documents Total144 Weekly during the reporting period, reaching 19,634 places for her widower following UNHCR’s intervention. The Arrivals to Greek Islands 28 November - 04 December Daily and Weekly Average Arrivals to Greece 07 March to 04 December 2016

4,500

4,000 21 31 Daily Average21 3,500 Daily Average Daily Average Arrivals to Weekly Arrivals Monthly Arrivals 28 November - 04 December As of 04 December Greek Islands 3,000 28 November - 04 December

2,500

2,000

1,500 1,400

Italy 1,000 600 374 500 300 150 94 79 113 80 97 100 130 126 104 85 95 128 102 88 81 100 53 69 36 45 40 51 51 58 51 39 37 74 71 74 60 54 69 21 0 2,151Total Weekly Arrivals to Italy 28 November - 04 December Daily and Weekly Average Arrivals to Italy 07 March to 04 December 2016 307 131 Daily Average Daily Average Daily307 Average 6,000 Weekly Arrivals Monthly Arrivals Arrivals to Italy 28 November - 04 December As of 04 December 28 November - 04 December 5,000

4,000

3,000

2,374

2,000 2,075 1,758 1,457 1,118 1,165 1,013 1,000 879 920 848 848 619 620 588 570 514 507 804 450 431 399 368 337 366 232 267 307 254 291 279 307 154 146 88 88 96 58 109 0 56

2 Weekly Report Regional December 9, 2016 4:24 PM Bureau data.unhcr.org Europe

mother and a sibling of the deceased boy remain hos- (2 from Pakistan, 3 from Iraq, 7 from Algeria, 1 from Af- pitalized in Athens, where UNHCR in cooperation with ghanistan, 1 from Mali, 1 from Ghana, 1 from Morocco and the Asylum Service will ensure the issuance of proper 1 from Nigeria) were returned on 29 November. Their documentation to the family and that they are referred return took place by a boat chartered by the European to the Greek Refugee Council for follow up upon release Border Guard and Coastguard Agency - Frontex, sailing from hospital. from Mytilene to Dikili in Turkey.

In Samos, the Vathy RIC remains overcrowded with 1,700 The total number of readmissions to Turkey from Greece persons accommodated in a facility with a capacity of under the EU-Turkey Statement is 748 as of 28 Novem- 606 beds, while 1,300 persons are accommodated in ber. over 365 pop-up tents (lightweight, collapsible tent with a pre-assembled frame) and 29 large 10-persons tents. Situation in Serbia Due to the heavy rains the living conditions deteriorated, Available data from authorities, UNHCR, and partners with the majority of tents without flooring being flooded, indicates that an estimated 6,400 people remain in Ser- destroyed or abandoned. On 30 November UNHCR met bia, of which over 60% are women and children. Main with the representatives of the Police, Army, Europol, nationalities represented include 52% from Afghanistan, Nassos Sofos (Policy Officer of the European Commis- 17% from Iraq and 16% from Syria. Of those, around 84% sion) on Samos to discuss accommodation options and were accommodated in 13 governmental facilities while other interventions. On Chios, the Municipality of Souda the remainder were counted sleeping rough in Belgrade is insisting on the immediate evacuation of the site and City centre or at the border with Hungary. With all Asy- the decongestion of the island by both refugees and mi- lum (AC) and Transit Centres (TC) fully occupied, author- grants. The Municipality is considering a transfer to Vial ities have requested newly registered asylum-seekers RIC of 200 refugees and migrants who are living outside be accommodated in Presevo or Dimitrovgrad Recep- Souda. UNHCR is working with different hotel owners tion Centres (RC). To support authorities, UNHCR and concerning accommodation of persons with specific partners continued promoting access to registration needs during the winter season. On 28 November a joint and provided transportation to newly registered asy- statement issued by 23 Greek NGOs on the recent inci- lum-seekers where access to better accommodation dents in Chios and Lesvos insisted that living conditions and services was available. In response to winter weath- to which people are exposed to in a government-run fa- er, UNHCR and partners distributed over 190 UNHCR cility ought to adhere to specific safety standards. blankets, 330 pairs of footwear, 230 winter jackets and many other clothing items for children and adults across Update on Returns from Greece to Turkey the centres in the country. The authorities, UNHCR and Two return operations were reported from Greece to partners maintain presence in all sites throughout the Turkey within the scope of the EU-Turkey Statement of 18 country and provide support such as protection assis- March 2016 during the reporting period. On 28 Novem- tance, legal counselling on asylum in Serbia, non-food ber, eight Syrians and two Iraqi nationals were returned items and support for coordination amongst authorities from Lesvos to Adana. In addition, 17 non-Syrian males and humanitarian agencies.

Key Documents from the Portal

3 Weekly Report Regional December 9, 2016 4:24 PM Bureau data.unhcr.org Europe

Situation at the Serbia-Hungary Border A total of 335 asylum-seekers were relocated from In the areas outside the transit zones 112 people (60 in Greece during the week, to Germany (218), Lithuania Horgos/Röszke and 52 in Kelebija/Tompa) are currently (12), Luxembourg (35), Malta (35), Netherlands (42), awaiting admission to Hungary staying in makeshift tents and Romania (18). Thus far, a total of 6,149 (9.2%) relying on assistance provided by UNHCR, NGOs, gov- asylum-seekers have been relocated from Greece ernment authorities and local aid groups from both Ser- against the targeted 66,400, since the beginning of bia and Hungary. The number of those waiting entry has the relocation program in November 2015. The over- decreased by half compared to the 200 individuals who all number of pledges to Greece still remains low at were there at the beginning of November. 12,496 (19 % of the targeted 66,400). There were 20 new pledges from Estonia during the reporting peri- During the reporting period, 98 people entered Hungary od. In support of the relocation programme, UNHCR through the two transit zones with an estimated 10 in- in Athens assisted 546 relocation candidates by pro- dividuals per transit zone admitted entry on weekdays. viding them with accommodation and 461 received In addition, the Hungarian Police reported 28 apprehen- transportation services during the reporting period. sions for irregular entry, while 237 people were prevent- ed from crossing the green border and another 303 peo- EU Related Developments ple were intercepted inside Hungary and escorted back At the 28 November Foreign Affairs Council, among to the other side of the border control fence. other issues, EU Ministers for Foreign Affairs focused on migration and development, with an exchange of Update on Relocation views on the state of play and on-going initiatives. During the week, 148 people were relocated to France These included the Partnership Framework ap- (51), Finland (37), and Norway (60), bringing the total proach, of which Ministers discussed the progres- number of asylum-seekers relocated from Italy since the sive broadening, and follow-up measures to the adoption of the relocation scheme to 1,950. This cor- November 2015 Valletta Summit in view of the 8-9 responds to 5% of the 39,600 target for Italy (latest EC February Valletta Senior Officials Meeting. data, 02 December).

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4 Weekly Report Regional December 9, 2016 4:24 PM Bureau data.unhcr.org Europe

Timeline Overview

Highlights 20 March 3 April 4 April • Start of the • Greece implemented a new law highlighting • First returns take EU-Turkey the creation of the Reception and Identification place under the EU- Statement . Service, restructuring of the Asylum Service, Turkey Statement: the creation of an Appeals’ Authority, and the 202 people returned creation of new Regional Asylum Offices. to Turkey from Greece.

27 April 7 April 6 April • Turkey amended labour • Turkish government amended the • The European Commission (EC) published legislation to grant Temporary Protection Regulation Communication on reforms to Common those holding subsidiary regarding access to temporary European Asylum System (CEAS) protection work permits. protection for Syrian nationals who irregularly travel to Europe and who are returned to Turkey from Greek islands.

4 May 18 May • The European Commission released: • The EC adopted its third progress • Proposals to reform the Common European Asylum System, with proposals to report on the EU’s emergency reform the Dublin Regulation, the EURODAC system and to turn the European relocation and resettlement schemes. Asylum Support Office into an European Union Agency for Asylum. • The Turkish President approved the • Third Progress Report by Turkey in fulfilling the requirements of its visa liberalization legislative framework regarding the roadmap EU-Turkey Statement with regards • Proposal to grant visa liberalization to Turkish citizens to the readmission of people from Greece.

20 June 17 June 8 June • UNHCR offices across the region The European Commission: • The Greek Asylum Service started celebrated World Refugee Day • Released Fourth Report on Relocation and Resettlement. pre-registration for applications with a variety of events and • Released Second Report on the Progress Made in the for international protection, awareness-raising activities Implementation of the EU-Turkey Statement. supported by UNHCR and EASO during the week. • Adopted a recommendation on the specificurgent measures to be taken by Greece in the view of the resumption of transfers to the country under the Dublin III Regulation.

13 July 23 August 14 September The European Commission released: The Greek Asylum Service announced European Border and Coast Guard Regu- • Its Proposals to recast the Asylum results of the pre-registration exercise, lation formally adopted. Procedures Directive, recast the following its completion on 25 July. Qualification Directive and amend the Reception Conditions Directive. • Its proposal on an EU Resettlement Framework • Its Fifth Report on relocation and resettlement.

16 September 20 September 19 September Informal Bratislava Summit, whereby Leader’s Summit on Refugees was United Nations General Assembly Sum- Leaders set out the priorities at EU-level held in New York bringing together mit in New York. Adopts the New York for the next few months. On migration, countries and international organisa- Declaration outlining key commitments to they include further bringing down the tions, and announced pledges to in- protect refugee and migrant rights. number of irregular migrants arriving to crease efforts in support of refugees. the EU, controlling external borders effec- tively, cooperate with non-EU countries and “apply the principles of responsibility and solidarity”.

28 September 06 October 09 November The European Comission released: The European Commission officially The European Commission (EC) re- • Sixth Report on relocation and reset- launched the European Border and leased their Seventh Report on Reloca- tlement Coast Guard (EBCG) Agency, tion and Resettlement • Third Recommendation in view of the resumption of Dublin transfers to Greece • Third Report on the progress made in the implementation of the EU-Turkey Statement.

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