New report from Unhcr, which illustrates the change in fuel models. In 2018 in Italy, the 74% arrived by sea. But the death rate is rising. And because of the greater restrictions imposed in Italy, many refugees and migrants are turning to alternative routes to get back into Europe.
New report from Unhcr, which illustrates the change in fuel models. In 2018 in Italy, the 74% arrived by sea. But the death rate is rising. And because of the greater restrictions imposed in Italy, many refugees and migrants are turning to alternative routes to get back into Europe.
ROME - Although the number of refugees and migrants entering Europe this year has fallen, the dangers faced by many during their journey have increased in some cases. This is illustrated by a new report published by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), which illustrates the change in flow patterns.
The Dispersed Travel report shows that arrivals by sea in Italy, mainly from Libya, have fallen dramatically since July 2017. This trend continued in the first three months of 2018, with a drop of 74% compared to the previous year.
"The journey to Italy is proving to be ever more dangerous - says Unhcr -: in the first three months of 2018, the death rate among people leaving Libya has risen to 1 loss per 14 people, compared to 1 loss per 29 people in the same period of 2017. In recent months, there has also been a very worrying deterioration in the health of new arrivals from Libya: an increasing number of people are actually living in precarious health conditions, showing signs of extreme leanness and thinness".
Increased arrivals in Spain and Greece. While the overall number of Mediterranean passengers has risen significantly since the end of 2016, Unhcr's report shows an increase in arrivals in Spain and Greece in the latter part of 2017.
"Last year - it says -, Spain recorded an increase of 100% compared to 2016, with 28,000 new arrivals. The first months of 2018 show a similar trend, with an increase in arrivals of 13% compared to the previous year". Holding the first migratory flows are the Moroccans and Algerians, but the Syrians represent the largest group crossing the land borders of Spain.
In Greece, the total number of arrivals by sea fell compared to 2016; however, there was an increase of 33% between July and December this year, with 24,600 arrivals compared to 18,300 in the same period in 2016. The majority came from Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan, with a high number of families with children. Asylum seekers stranded in Greece have faced long periods of stay on Greek islands in dramatic conditions and under sovraffolding.
Alternative routes and deaths. According to Unhcr, because of the greater restrictions imposed in Ungheria, many refugees and migrants take alternative routes to get back into Europe. For example, some enter Romania from Serbia, while others leave from Greece and travel through Albania, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina to arrive in Croatia.
"For refugees and migrants, traveling to and from Europe continues to be very dangerous," said Pascale Moreau, director of UNHCR's Europe Office. She estimates that over 3,100 people lost their lives at sea last year, compared to 5,100 in 2016. Another 489 people died or were dispersed at the start of 2018.
In addition to the deaths at sea, in 2017 there were at least 75 people who lost their lives on the external borders of Europe or while traveling in Europe, along with continuing and worrying signs of spills.
"Access to the territory and fast, efficient asylum procedures for those seeking international protection are fundamental. Managing the border and guaranteeing protection for refugees in accordance with the international obligations of the Member States are neither excluded from sale nor incompatible," said Moreau.
Abuse and violence. Unhcr's report also highlights the abuse and harassment of refugees and migrants by traffickers, smugglers or armed groups on various routes through Europe.
"Women, especially those traveling by car, and unaccompanied minors are particularly exposed to the risk of sexual and gender-based violence along the routes to Europe and in some places within Europe. In 2017, over 17,000 unaccompanied minors entered Europe. The majority arrive by sea in Italy, where 13% of all arrivals are made up of children traveling alone, a trend similar to 2016".
Reintegration. Unhcr's report shows, however, some positive progress in the number of people reintegrated in Europe this year, with an increase of 54% from 2016. The majority of these 26,400 refugees were of Syrian nationality (84%) and have been reintegrated from Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan. Among the European countries, the United Kingdom, Sweden and Germany have taken on the largest number of refugees through the reintegration program.
Another positive development took place at the end of this year, when the UNHCR began to favor the evacuation of vulnerable refugees from Libya to Niger and from Libya to Italy.
"The evacuation operations from Libya and the greater opportunities for reintegration that we saw last year are great news. There are still serious obstacles limiting access to safe and legal journeys, including family reunification, for people in need of international protection and we call for more solidarity," said Pascale Moreau.
UNHCR's suggestions. In addition, the report provides supplementary recommendations on the need to strengthen solidarity between States in Europe and with countries of first asylum and transit, to improve the quality of assistance, especially in the case of unaccompanied and separated minorities and people exposed to sexual and gender-based violence, and to ensure better protection for children.
Source: http://www.redattoresociale.it/Notiziario/Articolo/572742/Viaggi-Disperati-meno-migranti-in-Italia-aumentano-in-Spagna-e-Grecia 12.04.2018