Greece - Migrant and refugee arrivals in Greece and Italy in 2016 this week exceeded 100,000. As of 22/2, Greece alone had received some 102,547 arrivals since the beginning of the year. In comparison, in 2015, migrant arrivals topped 100,000 in June.

Over 413 migrants and refugees have also lost their lives during the same period, with the Eastern Mediterranean route between Turkey and Greece continuing to be the deadliest, accounting for 321 migrant deaths.

According to IOM Greece, an estimated 42,861 migrants have reached the Greek islands so far in February 2016. The Greek authorities say that they were mainly Syrians, Afghans, Iraqis, Iranians and Pakistanis. Others were from Morocco, Bangladesh and Somalia.

Between February 11-17, IOM estimates that some 7,286 refugees crossed from Greece into the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM).

IOM staff are present in the islands of Crete, Samos, Kos and Lesbos, working closely with the authorities to identify vulnerable migrants, including unaccompanied minors, the elderly, migrants with medical needs, and families with children. Vulnerable groups are referred to the authorities to be given the necessary care.

Meanwhile in Italy, following several days with no arrivals mainly due to rough seas, a total of 940 migrants were rescued in one day (22/2) in the channel of Sicily. Of these 357 were brought to Pozzallo, 342 to Messina and 241 to Lampedusa. Most are from Sub-Saharan Africa and many are fleeing Libya because of deteriorating security in the country, where they are often the target of violence. 

Since the beginning of the year, some 7,507 migrants have arrived by sea to Italy. This is roughly the same number as last year. 

“We are still registering the arrival of many vulnerable migrants, who are often in very bad condition, having been subjected to violence by smugglers in Libya. We are also still seeing many women victims of trafficking – an alarming trend already registered in 2015,” said IOM Italy spokesperson Flavio Di Giacomo.

IOM staff are deployed at the main landing points in Sicily (including Lampedusa), Calabria and Apulia. They provide legal assistance to those arriving by sea, monitor reception conditions and support the authorities in the identification of vulnerable groups.

Arrivals by sea and deaths in the Mediterranean: 1 January – 22 February 2016

Data on deaths of migrants compiled by IOM’s Global Migration Data Analysis Centre (GMDAC). All numbers are minimum estimates. Arrivals estimates based on data from respective governments and IOM field offices.

Arrivals by sea and deaths in the Mediterranean 2015/2016

Arrivals by sea in Greece

* Unofficial data on maritime arrivals collected by IOM staff and the Greek authorities.

Arrivals by sea  in Italy

*Data from the Italian Ministry of Interior.

*IOM estimate.

For the latest Mediterranean Update infographic please go to: http://missingmigrants.iom.int/sites/default/files/Mediterranean_Update_23_February_2016_0.pdf

For latest arrivals and fatalities in the Mediterranean, please visit: http://migration.iom.int/europe   
Learn more about Missing Migrants Project at: http://MissingMigrants.iom.int

For further information please contact IOM Greece. Daniel Esdras, Tel: +30 210 9912174, Email:  iomathens@iom.int or Kelly Namia, Tel: +302109919040, +302109912174, Email: knamia@iom.int
Or Flavio Di Giacomo at IOM Italy, Tel: +39 347 089 8996, Email: fdigiacomo@iom.int
Or IOM Geneva, Leonard Doyle, Tel: +41-792857123, Email: ldoyle@iom.intor Itayi Viriri, Tel: + 41 79 285 43 66, Email: iviriri@iom.int