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UNHCR Europe Monthly Report (September 2018)

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Spain
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TRENDS AND KEY FIGURES

Between 1 January and 30 September, there has been a 31 per cent reduction of arrivals to Europe compared to the same period in 2017, showing a continued declining trend of arrivals to Europe. In total, 99,600 refugees and migrants arrived via the three Mediterranean routes to Europe compared to almost 143,000 arrivals during the same period in 2017. Arrivals in September were also lower this year than in 2017, with nearly 15,100 arrivals in September 2018 reaching Europe compared to 21,300 in September 2017. As of 30 September, most confirmed arrivals so far this year have been to Spain with some 42,700 arriving by land and sea compared to 35,600 in Greece and some 21,100 in Italy. The most common nationalities amongst arrivals in 2018 so far were Guineans, Syrians, Moroccans and Malians.

CYPRUS: In 2018, 392 people arrived by sea, most commonly Syrians.

GREECE: 35,600 refugees and migrants have arrived by land and sea with 66% arriving by sea so far in 2018. This marks an almost 48% increase compared to the 24,000 people who arrived during the same period in 2017. Arrivals in September reached some 5,300, the most arrivals in a single month in 2018 so far. The number of interceptions or rescues by the Turkish Coast Guard in the Aegean in September (2,680) were also higher, an 80% increase compared to August 2018 (1,484). The average daily number of sea arrivals to Greece in September was 133, higher than the 103 average daily number of arrivals in August. At the Greek land border in Evros, a total of over 12,200 people have crossed into Greece in 2018 so far, with some 1,400 crossing during September compared to 980 whom arrived through Evros the previous month. The most common countries of origin of arrivals by sea were Syrians (30%), Afghans (23%) and Iraqis (20%).

ITALY: Just over 21,100 refugees and migrants arrived by sea by the end of September, an 80% decrease compared to the same period in 2017 (over 105,410).
Just under 950 refugees and migrants reached Italian shores in September, an 85% decrease compared to those who arrived in September last year (6,290). Monthly sea arrival figures in September 2018 were the lowest since February 2013. In September, 61% of arrivals by sea to Italy departed from Tunisia, 15% from Turkey and 5% from Algeria. Among the various nationalities arriving by sea in Italy in September the majority were from Tunisia (21%), followed by Eritrea (15%), and Sudan (8%). As of 30 September, over 3,250 unaccompanied and separated children (UASC) reached Italian shores.

SPAIN: A total of 42,700 refugees and migrants have reached Spain both by land and sea so far in 2018, representing an increase of 147% compared to the same period in 2017 (17,040). In September, nearly 8,570 refugees and migrants arrived to Spain via land and sea borders of which 88% (37,400) arrived by sea. The most common nationalities of sea arrivals in Spain so far this year are Guineans (25%), Malians (16%), Moroccans (15%), Ivoirians (8%) and Gambians (7%).

WESTERN BALKANS: As of 30 September, some 16,140 refugees and migrants were reported to have arrived in Bosnia-Herzegovina including some 3,710 who arrived in September – the increasing arrivals trend continues with a 62% increase in comparison to the 2,300 whom arrived the previous month. Among those, 34% were from Pakistan followed by Syrians (14%), Iranians (13%) and Afghans (10%). Most have arrived via Greece and other countries. Many of the refugees and migrants in Bosnia and Herzegovina attempt to move onwards through Croatia and presently there are approximately 1,450 accomodated in shelters throughout the country. In September, of the total 3,900 refugees and migrants assisted in Serbia, according to Serbian authorities, 3,410 were accommodated in 15 different governmental Reception/Transit or Asylum Centres, an increase compared to the 3,170 accommodated in August.

Dead and Missing: So far in 2018, 1,853 people have died or gone missing while trying to reach Europe by sea. An increase in relation to the numbers crossing to Europe via the Central Mediterranean route, 1 in every 8 people attempting the crossing in September died or are missing, compared to 1 in 49 during the course of 2017. Most deaths occurred along the Central Mediterranean route (1,245 or 67%) with 490 (26%) of the deaths along the route to Spain. The number of deaths in the Western Med (490) and Eastern Med (118) have both more than doubled compared to those in the same period last year (133 and 38, respectively).
Along land routes, at least 78 refugees or migrants are known to have died so far this year at or near European borders, more than in the whole of 2017 (75). Some 51 deaths along land routes were recorded in the first eight months of 2017.