Refugees In Greece and Italy Already Reached More Than 100,000 In Less Than Two Months
More than 100, 000 people have reportedly braved the Mediterranean Sea and landed in Greek and Italian shores in a recently published report by the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The report also cited that 97, 325 refugees and migrants arrived on Greek Islands and 7, 507 managed to reach Italy. Sadly, the flow of migrants fleeing from war or economic deprivation comes at a great human cost.
"More than 410 refugees and migrants have lost their lives during this period, with the route from the Eastern Mediterranean between Turkey and Greece, being one of the deadliest, with 321 deaths," the report said as quoted by the Greek Reporter.
As the influx of refugees worsens over the past months, a number of European countries have started to implement policies to stem the surging tide of refugees making a headway to Europe. Some countries already imposed a cap of people being allowed to enter, more stringent procedures for asylum application, and outright closing of borders to prevent entry.
However, EU is currently under fire for the chaotic and often uncoordinated response by its member-states.
"These newest restrictive measures risk violating EU law and undermine efforts for a comprehensive and coordinated approach to deal with the refugee and migrant crisis in Europe," said the UNHCR in a statement as quoted by The Guardian.
Meanwhile, Austria and nine Balkan states have reached an agreement on several measures that would prevent more refugees from entering into the heartland of Europe which include limiting the passage to people from countries ravaged by war.
"We have to reduce the influx now. This is a question of survival for the European Union," remarked Ms. Mikl-Leitner, Austria's interior minister as quoted by the New York Times.
