UN blames Europe for Med migrant crisis as numbers increase 750 PER CENT

THE UN is blaming Greece and Europe for not doing enough to help the 124,000 refugees and migrants fearing rape and starvation as they land on European sand.

By Alix Culbertson

PUBLISHED: 00:00, Fri, Aug 7, 2015 | UPDATED: 22:08, Fri, Aug 7, 2015

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Save the Children•MSF

Sanitation and places to sleep are seriously lacking on Greek islands where migrants have landed

The United Nation's refugee agency, UNCHR, said Europe is also to blame for failing to prevent the suffering on the islands of Lesbos, Chios, Kos, Samos and Leros which "should and could be avoided".

As revealed by Express.co.uk yesterday and last month, there is a serious lack of water, food, shelter, medical assistance and information for desperate migrants arriving on the islands, with children living in fear of being raped if they go to the bathroom in the night.

In a strongly worded report the agency said the amount of migrants who had arrived in Greece this year by the end of July had increased by a "staggering" 750 PER CENT compared to the same period in 2014 - and branded it an "urgent humanitarian emergency".

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Greece and Europe need to lead the response to this crisis, which can be resolved only through more solidarity within and outside the EU

Vincent Cochetel

In July alone 50,000 new migrants had arrived on the islands, 20,000 more than the previous month.

The UNCHR said the "vast majority" coming to Greece are from Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq - all countries experiencing conflict or human rights violations.

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has said the problem "surpasses" Greece's abilities and has asked for EU help.

Vincent Cochetel, UNCHR's director of the bureau for Europe, said: "This humanitarian emergency is happening in Europe, and requires an urgent Greek and European response.

"Such a level of suffering should and can be avoided.

MSF

The Greek islands have run out of accommodation for migrants

"The Greek authorities need to urgently designate a single body to coordinate response and set up an adequate humanitarian assistance mechanism.

"Greece and Europe need to lead the response to this crisis, which can be resolved only through more solidarity within and outside the EU and increased alternative means to reach Europe for refugees fleeing from violence."

The UNCHR, which is providing aid to the islands, added that there has been a "generous response" from Greek civil society which should be "recognised and supported".

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