New UNHCR report shows the sea route to Greece has gained more traction, sea arrivals to Italy have reduced and migrants and refugees are using increasingly diversified journeys to reach Europe.

UNHCR evacuated vulnerable refugees straight from Libya to Italy for the first time.

UNHCR calls for international solidarity to help reach objective of bringing to protection 1,300 highly vulnerable refugees out of Libya as soon as possible.

Despite a drop in the number of refugees and migrants reaching Europe last year, the dangers many face along the way have in some cases increased, according to Desperate Journeys report by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, setting out changing patterns of movement.

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, applauds Spain for its actions today in bringing to an end a sea-rescue crisis on the Mediterranean after a ship, the Aquarius, was refused permission to land and disembark elsewhere more than 600 rescued people. After spending over a week at sea, and with some having been transferred from the Aquarius to two Italian ships, the over 600 people were finally disembarked today in the port of Valencia, where their needs will be assessed, including identifying any who might be at risk and in need of international protection. UNHCR has offered support to the Spanish authorities. “We’re grateful this ordeal is over for all involved, but this incident is something that should never have happened in the first place,” said Filippo Grandi, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. “Rescue at sea is too important a principle to jeopardize, and any wavering about disembarkation presents grave peril not just to refugees and migrants but to anyone in difficulty at sea.” UNHCR advocates for assured and predictable regional disembarkation in situations of rescue at sea - and following disembarkation, for proper responsibility sharing arrangements, to avoid situations in which countries are penalized by being left to manage processing and follow up alone. UNHCR is ready to work with States of the Mediterranean to achieve this.

More than 1,500 refugees and migrants have lost their lives attempting to cross the Mediterranean in the first seven months of this year. The bleak milestone was confirmed after more than 850 lives were lost in June and July alone, marking the Mediterranean crossing as the deadliest sea route in the world.

UNHCR calls on Romanian EU Presidency to unite EU countries in stronger and fairer response for refugees

UNHCR has previously called for a review of the eligibility criteria and for the 75 percent protection rate threshold to be lowered, as this would allow for more people likely to be in need of international protection to be included.

UNHCR very concerned by reports from asylum seekers of sexual harassment and violence in sub-standard reception centres on the Greek islands, despite welcomed Government measures to address overcrowding and dire living conditions.

Since November, UNHCR has evacuated 1,084 refugees out of Libya. 770 of them were taken to Niger and 312 to Italy. Cooperation of UNHCR's partners and support by the governments of Niger, Libya and Italy crucial.