New measures on both sides of the Central Mediterranean Sea to seriously combat trafficking are needed.

Oltre 300,000 persone hanno attraversato il Mar Mediterraneo, tra cui 200,000 dirette in Grecia e 110,000 in Italia. (UNHCR)

On 15 August, UNHCR applauded the decision by the Government of Malta to permit the disembarkation of 141 asylum-seekers and migrants rescued on the Central Mediterranean by an NGO boat, the Aquarius. We also commend those European countries who have come forward to offer relocation places for rescued passengers post-disembarkation. The situation of the Aquarius and in particular this standoff has again highlighted the need for a Mediterranean regional arrangement that provides clarity and predictability on where boats carrying rescued passengers can dock.

On World Refugee Day, new shipwrecks in the Mediterranean are a reminder of the grave dangers that people confront when forced to flee their countries because of war and persecution.

One in five of those surveyed are still searching for a family member missing in Syria. (UNHCR)

Physical barriers and restrictive policies in Hungary have resulted in effectively denying access to territory and asylum for those in need of international protection.

Preliminary deaths from hypothermia highlight risks that desperate people are forced to take in the absence of legal avenues to seek safety in Europe. (UNHCR)

Proper information, counselling and accommodation needs to be provided to people affected by decisions at border points. (UNHCR)

Reception conditions and the asylum system in Greece must be rapidly strengthened in implementation of EU-Turkey deal (UNHCR).

Refugee and migrant women and girls face risks of sexual and gender-based violence along the journey to and in Europe. (UNHCR)