The increase mainly focused in the northeastern Aegean and the Dodecanese, while a large proportion of arrivals are estimated to come from Syria.
 
“The situation in Greece over this summer took in the characteristics of humanitarian crisis,” says UN High Commissioner for Refugees Greek branch, presenting figures showing that 22,089 people had entered Greece via its sea borders the first eight months of 2014.
 
The same period in 2013 the number was 6,834 people, while around 2013 was 11,500 people.
 
Only in September is estimated to have arrived in the islands of the Aegean 7,500 people, of which half were in the Dodecanese.
 
The number of people who crossed the same month the Evros river border was 1,133.
 
Overall, 165,000 people have crossed the Mediterranean so far in 2014 compared with 60,000 throughout 2013, however, the sea passage marked by human tragedies, as more than 3,000 people have died in wrecks in the Mediterranean or ignored.
 
Approximately 65% of refugees arriving in Greece were from Syria, rising from 40% in 2012.
 
The Greek Police reported 17,365 arrests of Syrian nationals, up from 8,517 arrests in 2013.
 
UNHCR officials warned that the winter will bring new challenges in terms of the refugee crisis, with existing structures unable to cope with the increasing demands, since most reception centers in Greece are already well over their official capacity.
 
The Greek branch of UNHCR called for European solidarity and sharing of the responsibility as well as reinforcements for the Coast Guard in both technical means and personnel so that it can manage with the increased demands in terms of search and rescue operations at sea.