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Number of Migrants Entering Europe in 2015 Passes One Million Number of Migrants Entering Europe in 2015 Passes One Million
(35 minutes later)
LONDON — The number of migrants and refugees who have entered Europe by sea and land this year has passed the one million mark, a long expected but symbolically significant capstone to a year in which displaced people have flocked to the Continent in historic proportions. LONDON — The number of migrants and refugees who have entered Europe by sea and land this year has passed the one million mark, a long-expected but symbolically significant capstone to a year in which displaced people flocked to the Continent in historic proportions.
The huge influx — the largest movement of people on the Continent since World War II — has strained the resources of Germany, which has been the ultimate destination for most of the migrants; prompted a right-wing backlash there and across Europe; and exposed the European Union’s inability to coordinate an effective response. The huge influx — the largest movement of people on the Continent since World War II — has strained the resources of Germany, which has been the ultimate destination for most of the migrants; prompted a right-wing backlash there and in much of Europe; and exposed the European Union’s inability to coordinate an effective response.
As of Monday, the figure stood at 1,005,504, more than four times the number recorded in 2014, the previous record, the International Organization for Migration announced on Tuesday. As of Monday, the figure stood at 1,005,504, more than four times the number in 2014, the previous record, the International Organization for Migration announced on Tuesday.
Greece was by far the most popular point of entry, with 821,008 migrants, followed by Italy, with 150,317; Bulgaria, with 29,959; Spain, with 3,845; Cyprus, with 269; and Malta, with 106.Greece was by far the most popular point of entry, with 821,008 migrants, followed by Italy, with 150,317; Bulgaria, with 29,959; Spain, with 3,845; Cyprus, with 269; and Malta, with 106.
An overwhelming majority of the migrants reached Europe by sea; a small number, 34,215, crossed into Greece or Bulgaria by land from Turkey.An overwhelming majority of the migrants reached Europe by sea; a small number, 34,215, crossed into Greece or Bulgaria by land from Turkey.
The organization tracks unauthorized migration across the Mediterranean Sea and over land routes. It does not include the tiny proportion of migrants who, for example, have entered Nordic states via Russia or destroyed their passports while flying to European cities. The organization tracks unauthorized migration across the Mediterranean Sea and over land routes. It does not include the tiny proportion of migrants who, for example, entered Nordic states via Russia or destroyed their passports while flying to European cities.
Most of the migrants were from Africa, the Middle East and South Asia — and, in particular, from Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria.Most of the migrants were from Africa, the Middle East and South Asia — and, in particular, from Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria.
So far this year, 3,692 migrants have died while trying to enter Europe, including 32 Africans who recently perished trying to travel to the Canary Islands, an archipelago off Morocco that is part of Spain. So far this year, 3,692 migrants have died while trying to reach Europe, including 32 Africans who recently perished trying to travel to the Canary Islands, an archipelago off Morocco that is part of Spain.
“We know migration is inevitable, necessary and desirable,” said William Lacy Swing, a retired United States ambassador who is the director general of the International Organization for Migration, which is based in Geneva.“We know migration is inevitable, necessary and desirable,” said William Lacy Swing, a retired United States ambassador who is the director general of the International Organization for Migration, which is based in Geneva.
“But it’s not enough to count the number of those arriving — or the nearly 4,000 this year reported missing or drowned,” he said. “We must also act. Migration must be legal, safe and secure for all, both for the migrants themselves and the countries that will become their new homes.”“But it’s not enough to count the number of those arriving — or the nearly 4,000 this year reported missing or drowned,” he said. “We must also act. Migration must be legal, safe and secure for all, both for the migrants themselves and the countries that will become their new homes.”
Most of the migrants have made their way to Northern or Western Europe, and in particular Germany. From January to November of this year, 964,574 have arrived in Germany seeking asylum, according to the Interior Ministry; German officials have been predicting for some time that the total number would surpass one million this year. Most of the migrants have made their way to Northern or Western Europe, and in particular Germany. From January to November of this year, 964,574 arrived in Germany seeking asylum, according to the Interior Ministry; German officials have been predicting for some time that the total number would surpass one million this year.
However, the numbers for Germany include more than 102,000 people who arrived from Albania and Kosovo. Germany’s strong economy has attracted many Europeans who are seeking jobs and a better life than is possible in the economically depressed Balkan countries, although many are being turned back because they are not eligible for asylum and because their countries are not part of the European Union.However, the numbers for Germany include more than 102,000 people who arrived from Albania and Kosovo. Germany’s strong economy has attracted many Europeans who are seeking jobs and a better life than is possible in the economically depressed Balkan countries, although many are being turned back because they are not eligible for asylum and because their countries are not part of the European Union.
Aylan Kurdi, the 3-year-old Syrian boy whose body washed up on a Turkish beach in September, has been arguably the most prominent human face of the crisis. But since his death, which attracted worldwide attention, the number of young children who have died while trying to reach Europe has continued to rise. Aylan Kurdi, the 3-year-old Syrian boy whose body washed up on a Turkish beach in September, has arguably been the most prominent human face of the crisis. But since his death, which attracted worldwide attention, the number of young children who have died while trying to reach Europe has continued to rise.
On Dec. 19, a wooden boat carrying 62 migrants capsized off the Greek island of Khios, and a 2-year-old Iraqi boy drowned. According to the Greek Coast Guard, the bodies of six of the 15 migrants whose bodies have washed up on Greek islands this month have been those of children. On Dec. 19, a wooden boat carrying 62 migrants capsized off the Greek island of Khios, and a 2-year-old Iraqi boy drowned. According to the Greek Coast Guard, the bodies of six of the 15 migrants whose bodies washed up on Greek islands this month have been those of children.
The International Organization for Migration’s figures suggest that the migrants come in different family configurations. For example, of the migrants recorded entering from Greece into Macedonia between Dec. 9 and Dec. 20, 45.6 percent were men, 21.9 percent were women, 35 percent were children accompanied by a parent or “caretaker,” and 1.5 percent were unaccompanied children.The International Organization for Migration’s figures suggest that the migrants come in different family configurations. For example, of the migrants recorded entering from Greece into Macedonia between Dec. 9 and Dec. 20, 45.6 percent were men, 21.9 percent were women, 35 percent were children accompanied by a parent or “caretaker,” and 1.5 percent were unaccompanied children.