Arrivals and Departures:
Arrivals to the Greek Islands have decreased by 53 per cent in March as compared to February. This is likely a result of the possible combination of several factors including: poor weather conditions in the south-east Aegean; an understanding between refugee and migrant populations that the Balkan route is now closed; as well as the implementation of the EU-Turkey deal.
The total number of refugees and migrants currently present in Greece has reached 50,364, including 46,122 on the mainland. With the departure to the mainland of those who had arrived prior to 20 March, the population remaining on the islands has progressively decreased to 4,242. There are currently some 1,268 people who arrived prior to 20 March and 2,947 who arrived post 20 March.
In Serbia, between 24-28 March, a new trend was noted with over 100 people arriving from the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Bulgaria. Departures from various locations in Serbia were also observed within the same time period as over 150 people departed in the direction of the Hungarian border. The movement was reportedly encouraged by “success” stories of some who have reached Germany using this route. Reportedly, these new movements are taking place with the help of smugglers.
Condition of People:
In Greece, the situation at the hotspots remains calm, but uncertainty and frustration is growing amongst refugees and migrant as the closed facilities are crowded. In particular, reception facilities continue to be overcrowded on Chios, which may lead to new tensions, whilst conditions in the Vathy hotspot on Samos remain substandard. UNHCR has suspended some of its activities in the hotspots which have become closed facilities. UNHCR maintains a presence in order to ensure that human rights are safeguarded, to inform new arrivals on the asylum procedure, and to offer life-saving assistance.
On 24 March, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, expressed serious concerns about the recent agreement between the European Union and Turkey, pointing to what he termed “a contradiction at the heart of the agreement,”. He also raised concerns regarding arbitrary detention of refugees and migrants.