2012. Although over 450,000 Syrians fled
to countries nearby Syria, numbers seeking refuge within the EU remain small.
In 2011, a total of 8,920 Syrians applied for asylum within EU borders, while
in the first three quarters of 2012 applications increased slightly, reaching a
total of 11,573. Only 1,490 irregular entries of Syrians were recorded during
the last three quarters of 2011, which rose to 2,739 in the first two quarters
of 2012. Numbers of Syrians applying for immigration have also remained negligible.
In light of the overall magnitude of the
crisis compared with the actual numbers reaching Europe, this paper reviews
EU’s response to the crisis. First, it presents the facts: a historical review
of displacements from Syria, the numbers, and the route of travel for Syrian
refugees, migrants, and asylum seekers to Europe. This is followed by a review
of European responses to the Syrian crisis. Finally, the paper concludes with
recommendations for addressing the Syrian refugee crisis.
