The number of migrants hosted on the Greek islands fell by 29.6% in July in comparison with January 1, 2020, the migration and asylum ministry announced on Friday.
Migration and Asylum Minister Notis Mitarachi underlined that “by implementing a balanced migration policy using a plan we are turning page in the migration problem.”
Specifically, in early January the total number living in refugee and migrant facilities on the islands was 42,007 and on July 31 it was down to 29,579.
Additionally, those living in islands hotspots were reduced by 32.2% in the same period.
In terms of migrant and refugee arrivals in Evros and on the islands, there was a 90% decline in the last three months compared with the relevant period in 2019, however there was a 24.3% increase in arrivals in July in comparison with June.
In July 2020, 1030 people departed from Greece, either because they were either deported or returned (334), departed voluntarily via the World Migration Organisation (124), while 106 migrants voluntarily returned to their countries and 239 were relocated to other EU countries.
SOURCE: Greek City Times
