According to the latest Global Monthly Surveillance Report,published by Tdh, at the end of January 2017, IOM reported 74’9091 people stranded in the Central and South Eastern Europe region, a slight decrease compared to the previous month (75’948). The real number is likely to be higher since IOM only captures people registered within national databases2 . The period was marked by a cold wave that put the most vulnerable people at risk especially those with no suitable accommodation in the region.
In Albania, 109 people irregularly crossing the Albanian border with Greece were apprehended in January and were consequently returned to Greece3 . According to local organisations 45% to 50% of the movement remains undetected.
In Bulgaria, in January, 421 asylum applications were lodged, 34 persons were granted refugee status, 39 subsidiary protection, 243 received a negative decision and 735 procedures were terminated. The Bulgarian Ministry of Interior (MoI) apprehended 629 persons, the vast majority (529) for attempt of irregular exit. There was no relocation from either Greece or Italy during this month.
In Hungary, 21 people were granted protection in January from which 8 received refugee status and 13 subsidiary protection. In the same month, 3’240 people were refused entry to the territory (3’102 under the so-called “8 kilometres rule” and 138 in other parts of Hungary). Since the start of the year 36 asylum seekers were returned to Hungary under the Dublin regulation (mainly from Germany and Austria).
In Macedonia during January only 2 new arrivals were registered by the authorities. However, data provided by the authorities does not reflect the situation in the field. According to Tdh/La Strada there remains movement in Macedonia and it is estimated that 100 to 150 people are still transiting through the country every day