A long-term refugee crisis, with thousands stranded in substandard camps, is unfolding on European soil. As nearly 8,500 men, women and children on Greek islands await possible return to Turkey, around 48,000 remain contained in mainland Greece while they attempt to negotiate an ineffectual asylum system. The EU-Turkey deal has not dampened the desperation of people to reach sanctuary in Europe. Denied safe alternative pathways into Europe, significantly more Syrians, Iraqis and Afghans are risking their lives by travelling via smuggling routes through the Balkans. Meanwhile, elsewhere in Europe at least 880 are believed to have drowned last week attempting to make the treacherous sea crossing from Libya to Italy.

Available documents & links