Mass Exodus: UN Says 850,000 to Cross Sea to Europe Through 2016
At least 850,000 people are expected to cross the Mediterranean
seeking refuge in Europe this year and next, the United Nations said on
Tuesday, giving estimates that already look conservative.
The U.N. refugee agency UNHCR called for more cohesive asylum policies to deal with the growing numbers.
Many are refugees from Syria, driven to make the voyage by
intensified fighting there and worsening conditions for refugees in
surrounding countries due to funding shortfalls in aid programs, UNHCR
said.