OVERVIEW
Since the number of arrivals of asylum seekers, refugees and other migrants1 to Europe significantly increased in March 2015, several key developments have characterised the crisis and the response to existing needs. This note provides an overview of these events and current context by country. The note is aimed at humanitarian responders who recently started or are planning to start working on the migrant crisis in the Balkans.
The response to the crisis has evolved since spring 2015, from a solely reactive approach, through a surge in support, to measures aimed at restricting the flow.
The crisis has had three main phases:
Between March and August 2015 transit countries slowly adapt to the unexpected and significant increase in arrivals with ad-hoc reactive policies. In June, for instance, Hungary announces plans to build a fence on its border with Serbia. Coordination between affected countries is very limited and there is an overall lack of support from external actors.
In August, the extent to which countries are overwhelmed becomes apparent – FYRo Macedonia declares a state of emergency and the Greek Prime Minister requests additional EU aid. Chancellor Merkel announces the opening of Germany’s borders to those arriving and international support gears up. EU civil protection mechanisms are launched in September and October for four countries along the Balkan route and UNHCR launches a dedicated appeal for funds.
The crisis takes a different turn in the autumn, with Hungary closing its border midOctober, shifting migrant flows within Croatia, and turning Slovenia into a main transit country. FYRo Macedonia, Serbia, Croatia, and Slovenia introduce selective entry conditions on 18 November 2015 and currently only people from Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan are allowed to pass beyond Greece. The EU Commission puts in place additional measures to manage its external border. An agreement between EU and Turkey on 29 November to reduce movement from Turkey’s shores has until now had limited impact.