Galery

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About 20,843 illegal immigrants arrived in Greece by sea last week (8-14 August) as announced by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Geneva today.

This number is almost equal to 50% of the total number of immigrants who arrived in Greece by sea in 2014, namely 43,500, UNHCR adds, stressing that "the number of immigrants has been steadily increasing in recent weeks."

The reported number of immigrants who arrived in July alone was 50,242, i.e. higher than the total number recorded in 2014.

The majority of immigrants who arrived during the past week came from Syria (82%), 14% were Afghans and 3% Iraqis.

"Most of these people should obtain refugee status," the UNHCR explains.

"For months the High Commissioner has warned about the deepening refugee crisis on the Greek islands," the UNHCR indicates, requesting urgent support for the reception structures on the islands and in the rest of the country.

The UN office dealing with refugees, "recommends that the Greek authorities establish a single structure to undertake the coordination of activities in the case of emergencies" in this crisis situation and "to create an appropriate mechanism for humanitarian aid."

European countries should support Greece in its efforts in this field as further stressed by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.