Planning and Preparation:
A huge shortfall in funds for sheltering refugees is severely undermining efforts to tackle the biggest global displacement crisis since World War II. At the launch today of a new global campaign, called “Nobody Left Outside,” UNHCR emphasised that efforts to provide adequate shelter for refugees under its care were facing a half-billion-dollar deficit. Nobody Left Outside calls on the private sector to contribute funds for shelter solutions for 2 million refugees. The campaign is aimed at individuals, companies, foundations and philanthropists worldwide. The Nobody Left Outside campaign is asking private donors and enterprises to get more involved. Europe requires significantly more help (US$36m needed, US$10m available) as it faces a continued influx of refugees.
Arrivals and Departures:
In Hungary, between 9 and 15 May, 255 people were admitted into the transit zones (122 in Röszke and 133 in Tompa). Further limits have been placed on the number of asylum-seekers admitted in each transit zone, reducing it from 30 people per day to 15 due to new procedures at the border including the activation of EURODAC checks, comprehensive interviews and national security screening conducted by the Constitution Protection Office (CPO). This has prolonged the waiting time for some 300 people awaiting admission without shelter, sanitation and hygiene facilities, exposed to protection and health risks. As of the beginning of May, for people previously registered though the EURODAC system the asylum procedure at the border is suspended until the European Union Member State responsible to process the asylum application claim is determined, as according to Dublin III regulation.
UNHCR is present daily in the transit zones to monitor the admission procedure, to advocate for improved conditions and increased capacity for the authorities to process the people arriving at the transit zones and to assist with the identification of vulnerable cases and advocate for their prioritized entry.
Condition of People:
During the night of 17-18 May, a group of refugees and migrants set fire to the reception centre of Lampedusa, Italy. One building was set ablaze. The fire caused no injuries and was allegedly provoked by four Tunisian nationals, after rumours of their possible imminent repatriation. This type of event was also observed by UNHCR in previous occasions.
UNHCR continues to advocate for and provide people with information regarding asylum and international protection procedures while also monitoring the reception conditions.
The media reported that 50 Egyptian nationals were returned to Cairo International Airport from Italy after they were intercepted last week while trying to enter the Italian territory in an irregular manner by fishing boats.
Key Developments:
On 10 May, the Hungarian Parliament approved amendment package submitted by the Ministry of Interior last February. The legislative amendments will enter into force as of 1 June 2016.
The amendments will, inter alia, terminate measures aiming to facilitate integration of beneficiaries, introduce mandatory and automatic revision of refugee status at least every three years; reduce the maximum period of stay in open reception centres after recognition from sixty to thirty days, and reduce the eligibility period for free of charge access to basic health care services following recognition from one year to six months.
On 17 May, Europol and Interpol published a joint report on Migrant Smuggling Networks. The report estimates that “the annual turnover of migrant smuggling was worth an estimated USD 5 to 6 billion in 2015”. Among other findings the report highlights that the research undertaken does not find a systematic link between "migrant" smuggling and terrorism and foresees an increase in the number of people trying to reach Europe.