Latest updates on country situation
16 June 2023
On 14 June 2023, a boat carrying 400–750 migrants capsized in Greek waters. The boat was on its way to Italy from eastern Libya. As at 20 June, 100 people had been rescued and 78 bodies retrieved. Up to 500 are still missing. The boat was carrying hundreds of Pakistanis and dozens of Egyptians, Syrians, and Palestinians. The Central Mediterranean migration route from North Africa to Italy and Malta is the deadliest migration route in the world, with more than 1,060 people already missing in 2023 before the 14 June incident. According to IOM, as at 7 June, more than 74,000 migrants had reached Europe in 2023, with the majority arriving in Italy through the sea from the Middle East and West Africa, fleeing wars, conflicts, discrimination, and dire economic conditions. In Europe, migrants struggle to find adequate shelter and livelihoods aside from facing discrimination. (Al Jazeera 19/06/2023,
IOM accessed 20/06/2023,
UNICEF et al. 08/11/2019)
current crises
in
Greece
These crises have been identified through the INFORM Severity Index, a tool for measuring and comparing the severity of humanitarian crises globally.
GRC002 - Mixed Migration
Last updated 31/10/2023
Drivers
Displacement
Crisis level
Country
Severity level
2.1 Medium
Access constraints
1.0
REG006 - Eastern Mediterranean Route
Last updated 31/10/2023
Drivers
Crisis level
Regional
Severity level
2.2 Medium
Access constraints
2.0
Analysis products
on
Greece
13 October 2020
Greece: Fires and COVID-19 caused displacement in Lesvos
DOCUMENT / PDF / 685 KB
This report is an update to initial reporting on the situation on Lesvos (Displacement in Lesvos 22/09/2020) and provides greater detail regarding the risk of COVID-19 in camps. Between 8 and 10 September, fires broke out in three different spots in Lesvos, resulting in the displacement of more than 12,000 inhabitants.The fire also destroyed a COVID-19 medical facility and interrupted all medical services for the refugees.
22 September 2020
Greece: Displacement in Lesvos
DOCUMENT / PDF / 398 KB
On 9 September fires broke out in three different locations inside the Moria Refugee camp, resulting in displacement of all its inhabitants across the island of Lesvos. The Moria camp is one of Europe's largest refugee camps. Although its official capacity is only 2,600 it was estimated to be hosting approximately 13,000 refugees before the fire broke out.
09 February 2017
Middle East - EU migration: Scenarios
DOCUMENT / PDF / 933 KB
ACAPS and the Mixed Migration Platform have produced a new set of Middle East–EU migration scenarios, outlining possible developments in migration via Turkey and Greece over the next six months. The report outlines triggers that could drive these scenarios, as well as the impact and humanitarian consequences of each scenario.
18 March 2016
The Balkans: Asylum Seekers, Migrants, and Refugees in Transit
DOCUMENT / PDF / 777 KB
As of 16 November, close to 820,000 people have arrived in Europe by sea in 2015. 85% of the arrivals are from the world’s top ten refugee-producing countries. As the sea route to Italy via North Africa is longer and more risky, and as the number of Syrians has increased, more people are travelling through Greece and then through the Balkans to reach northern and western Europe.
18 March 2016
The Balkans: Asylum Seekers, Migrants and Refugees in Transit
DOCUMENT / PDF / 705 KB
Over 800,000 asylum seekers and refugees have made their way towards Europe by land and sea in 2015. As the sea route to Italy via North Africa is longer and more risky, and as the number of Syrians have increased, more people are traveling through Greece and then through the Balkans to reach northern and western Europe.