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Italy Operational Update - March 2018

Countries
Italy
+ 11 more
Sources
UNHCR
Publication date
Origin
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Key Figures

6,296 Sea Arrivals

927 UASC Sea Arrivals

18,916 Asylum applications

173,150 Persons in reception

Overview and developments

Between 1 January and 31 March 2018, 6,296 refugees and migrants arrived in Italy by sea. This is a 74 per cent decrease compared to sea arrivals in the same period last year, when 24,292 persons reached Italian shores. The numbers of monthly sea arrivals in March 2018 (1,049 persons) are lower than in previous months. Notably, they are the lowest on record since late 2013. Unaccompanied and separated children (UASC) account for 18 per cent of sea arrivals since the beginning of the year.

The ten most common countries of origin of refugees and migrants registered at landing points in 2018 so far are Eritrea, Tunisia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Libya, Côte d’Ivoire, Sudan, Guinea, Senegal, and Mali.
Despite an overall decrease in sea arrivals, the numbers of Eritreans and Tunisians reaching Italian shores have been on the rise, compared to the same period last year. In March 2018, Tunisians and Eritreans together accounted for 35 per cent of new arrivals. The numbers of Libyans registered at landing points since the beginning of 2018 have also been much higher than in the same period last year, with 240 Libyan nationals arriving by sea between 1 January and 31 March 2018, compared to 88 in the same period last year.

The overall decrease in sea arrivals also reflects in lesser individuals applying for asylum and accessing accommodation in reception facilities, compared to last year. Between 1 January and 31 March 2018, 18,916 new asylum applications were lodged in Italy. As of 31 March 2018, 173,150 adult asylumseekers were accommodated in reception facilities across the country, compared to approximately 184,000 at the end of December 2017.