680,000+ Refugees & Migrants Cross the Mediterranean

Greece records highest migration inflows so far this year: IOM

Between January 1 and October 21, 2015 some 680,928 refugees and migrants crossed the the Mediterranean Sea, arriving in Greece (537,460), Italy (139,518), Malta (105)   and Spain (3,845). Some 3,175 people perished in the Mediterranean (estimated global toll stood at 4,480 dead).

About 50,000 refugees and migrants crossed from Turkey to the Greek islands in the past five days alone, reported IOM International.

During the same period, “18 migrants are believed to have lost their lives in two incidents – one on October 19th off the coast of Megisti, the other on October 21st off the coast of Samos.”

“In the shipwreck off Samos, the Hellenic Coast Guard rescued a 32-year-old Syrian, but 14 others, including his wife, two children and other relatives are missing, believed drowned.

“Meanwhile in Italy, so far in the month of October a total of 7,447 migrants have been rescued at sea in the Channel of Sicily. No deaths have been recorded since eight bodies (seven women; one man) were shipped on Monday into Taranto, brought by the Spanish ship Rio Segura, which carried another 633 survivors. Authorities discovered the eight victims in a rubber dinghy carrying 113 migrants. Their cause of death remains unknown,” said the report.

http://missingmigrants.iom.int/en/mediterranean-update-23-october-2015

2.1 Million Displaced in Nigeria: IOM

‘Intensification of attacks by insurgents’ raises Nigeria IDP total from 1.3 to 2.1 million since June

More than 2.1 million Nigerians or 300,000 households are now internally displaced in northern Nigeria, based on Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) of International Organization for Migration (IOM), said a report.

“The increase in the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) from the 1.3 million recorded in the June DTM report can be attributed to the intensification of attacks carried-out by the insurgents, as well as to improved access to previously inaccessible areas of Borno State, where the IDP population is now well over 1.6 million.”

 

3,573 Migrants Killed in 365 Days Trying to Reach Europe by Sea

10 Migrants killed each day trying to reach Europe

At least 3,573 migrants were killed while attempting to reach Italy, Greece and Spain by sea, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

The 2015 death toll currently stands at 2,373 on all sea routes to Europe, which is more than 12 percent higher compared to the same period last year (2,081).

In 2014 a total of 3,281 migrants were killed, said the report.

The following statistic for the deaths at sea so far this year are as follows:

• Central Route (North Africa to Italy and Malta): 2,267 (migrants killed)
• Eastern Route (Turkey to Greece): 83
• Western (Africa to Spain, including Canary Islands): 23

3.1 Million Iraqis Displaced by Violence

 9 Percent of remaining Iraqi population now displaced

More than 3.1 million Iraqis have been internally displaced by the ongoing bloody conflict, said UN spokesperson on Tuesday.

At least 300,000 people have been displaced from and within Anbar province including more than 250,000 individuals from Ramadi, the capital of governorate, since military operations began in April, said the UN Assistance (!) Mission for Iraq (UNAMI).

The DTM has identified 3,112,914 persons displaced by conflict in Iraq. The majority, 67 per cent, are sheltered in private settings that include rented housing, host families and hotels. A smaller but significant number, 20 per cent, are identified as living in critical shelter arrangements, which include unfinished buildings, religious buildings, informal settlements and schools. Eight per cent of those currently displaced in Iraq are living in camp settings.

A total of 1,466 Iraqis were killed and another 1,687 were injured in acts of terrorism, violence and armed conflict in June 2015, according to casualty figures released by UNAMI earlier this month.

In the first half 2015, at least 6,784 Iraqis were killed and 11,789 others wounded in acts of terrorism and violence.

Fighting to liberate the Anbar province continues between the Iraqi security forces, and the so-called Islamic State (ISIL) terrorists, better known as daesh , the thugs, assassins and murder mechanics left behind from the genocidal regime of Saddam-Hussein, who have seized most of the governorate.

*CAVEATS: In general, UNAMI has been hindered in effectively verifying casualties in conflict areas.  Figures for casualties from Anbar Governorate are provided by the Health Directorate and are noted below. In some cases, UNAMI could only partially verify certain incidents.  UNAMI has also received, without being able to verify, reports of large numbers of casualties along with unknown numbers of persons who have died from secondary effects of violence after having fled their homes due to exposure to the elements, lack of water, food, medicines and health care.  For these reasons, the figures reported have to be considered as the absolute minimum.

Global Disasters/ Significant Events – May 13, 2015

Internal Displacement in Iraq Passes 2.8 Million: IOM

Iraq conflict has escalated in several locations forcing 180,000 more people to flee their home.

More than 180,000 people have fled their homes in Iraq since April 10, following the outbreak of the Ramadi crisis, and Recent clashes between the the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) and armed groups in Karmah district, said IOM.

Following the outbreak of the Ramadi crisis, which occurred around 10 April, DTM tracked 133,104 individuals displaced to 15 of Iraq’s 18 governorates. The governorates receiving the greatest number of displaced people as a result of the Ramadi crisis are Baghdad (83,172), Anbar (24,552), Babylon (7,392) and Sulaymaniyah (6,504). An estimated 65 per cent of the total population tracked as “in transit” has been recorded in this DTM report.

Recent clashes between the ISF and armed groups also triggered displacements from Karmah district in Anbar. As of 8 May, 47,256 individuals were displaced; 94 per cent to Fallujah district and 6 per cent to Abu Ghraib district in Baghdad.

Meantime, clashes between Islamic State and government forces have intensified around Baiji oil refinery, in Salah al Din, UN reported.

Dedaly Earthquakes in Nepal

The second powerful earthquake to hit Nepal in less than three weeks has killed at least 83 people, including 17 in India and one in Chinese Tibet, and injured about 2,000. Thousands of people are staying outdoors as dozens of aftershocks rocked the country overnight.

Meantime, the UN issued the following casualty stats in connection with the April 25 earthquake.

The home ministry said 382 people were reported as missing.

It’s unclear whether the latest casualties from the 7.3-magnitude quake that struck the country yesterday (May 12) are included in the total.