Lack of accessible and safe pathways leads refugees and migrants to take enormous risks while attempting to reach Europe.

Latest shipwreck in the Mediterranean comes as a stark reminder of the vital importance of robust search and rescue capacities.

Loss of hope and deepening poverty driving Syrians to seek refuge in Europe. (UNHCR)

Mediterranean Sea crossings exceed 300,000, including 200,000 to Greece. UNHCR, 28 August 2015, http://www.unhcr.org/55e033816.html

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.

More than 15,500 asylum-seekers currently living on mainland Greece have now received temporary cards, valid for one year

More than 300,000 people have risked their lives to cross the Mediterranean Sea so far this year. Over 2,600 didn't survive the dangerous crossing, (UNHCR)

NGOs provide additional and much needed rescue capacity. In 2016, 26 per cent of all rescue operations in the central Mediterranean were performed by NGOs, more than twice than the previous year.

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.

New Winter Transit Center in Slavonski Brod was opened on 3 November in Croatia. Center can accommodate up to 5000 refugees and migrants (UNHCR)