More than a million refugees arrived in Europe in 2015, multiplied fourfold since 2014, according to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).
Most refugees arrived in Turkey or Greece by sea, mainly from Syria and Iraq. The organisation also said nearly 3,500 people died this year trying to reach Europe. The migration crisis has been a major issue, prompting much controversy within the EU.
Half of the refugees crossing the Mediterranean were from Syria, 20% were from Afghanistan, and 7% from Iraq, the IOM reported.
The organisation gets its information from the formal records and the police, in addition to its observers but its director William Lacy said this count has deficiencies.
He highlighted the need for more efforts to make the immigration “safe and secure for both sides; the immigrants and the hosting countries”.
“A more coordinated European response is beginning to take shape,” a joint IOM and UNHCR statement read.
