Flows of refugees into Europe show no sign of abating. In January 2016 alone, 65,775 men, women and children travelled treacherous seas to find sanctuary in Europe, more than in July last year. As a result of chronic conflict, persecution, and human rights abuses in origin countries, the UNHCR predicts 1 million will travel to Europe in 2016. Europe has shown itself to be ill-equipped to respond to this crisis. As a result of a lack of coordinated and humane response by Europe, thousands of refugees fleeing violence and persecution continue to lose their lives and their dignity. This is desperate situation and reflects a shamefully inadequate response. Addressing this challenge is not beyond reach, but European states must take urgent action now.

Proposed moves to bring in a new ‘one in-one out’ system between Greece and Turkey at the EU Council on 17-18 March has seen the UN raise concerns of its legality, but it also threatens to introduce more not fewer incentives for refugees, aided by smugglers, to attempt the dangerous journey across the Aegean. If the number of refugees the EU accepts is based on how many attempt the journey and are returned to Turkey, then Turkey – understandably eager for the EU to take more refugees – is incentivised to let the smuggling continue. We are also concerned about what happens to those people who are returned to Turkey, and then in turn potentially sent back from Turkey to their countries of origin. We seek assurances from the Turkish authorities, and from EU authorities, that all asylum seekers and refugees will be protected, and treated in a fair and humane way, and that no-one will be returned to a place where they are not safe.

Due to the lack of a humane response by Europe, thousands of refugees fleeing violence and persecution continue to lose their lives and their dignity. Last week the EU and Turkey reached an illogical and unethical deal that will only mean more indignity, more disorder, more dangerous journeys and more lives lost. This is a desperate situation. Addressing it is not beyond reach, but European states must take urgent action now.

More than 53,000 asylum seekers are now in need of urgent humanitarian and protection support in Greece. The illogical and unethical EU-Turkey deal has resulted in a European response to the refugee crisis that has detention and return at its heart. This deal only promotes further disorder and smuggling, and is resulting in inhumane treatment of thousands of refugees fleeing violence and persecution. Addressing this situation is not beyond reach, but European states must take urgent action now.

More than 53,000 desperate men, women and children in search of protection remain in Greece. The vast majority on the mainland are Syrian (45 percent), Iraqi (22 percent), and Afghan (21 percent). Unless European states take action now, a long-term refugee crisis, with thousands stranded living in camps, will unfold on European soil. Greece is receiving insufficient support to step up ineffectual asylum processing that currently hinges on registration via Skype. With the hot summer months approaching, difficult living conditions and an inadequate asylum system is a deeply concerning combination for thousands fleeing violence and persecution. Meanwhile, the illogical and unethical EU-Turkey deal is denying sufficient safe alternative pathways into Europe, and serving to promote dangerous journeys and smuggling.

A long-term refugee crisis, with thousands stranded in substandard camps, is unfolding on European soil. As nearly 8,500 men, women and children on Greek islands await possible return to Turkey, around 48,000 remain contained in mainland Greece while they attempt to negotiate an ineffectual asylum system. The EU-Turkey deal has not dampened the desperation of people to reach sanctuary in Europe. Denied safe alternative pathways into Europe, significantly more Syrians, Iraqis and Afghans are risking their lives by travelling via smuggling routes through the Balkans. Meanwhile, elsewhere in Europe at least 880 are believed to have drowned last week attempting to make the treacherous sea crossing from Libya to Italy.

Women and girls fleeing conflict, violence and insecurity are finding unsafe and substandard living conditions as they arrive in Greece, transit through the Balkans and seek refuge and asylum in Europe. The lack of consideration given to women and girls within the crisis response has serious implications for their safety and well-being. Organisations at the front lines of the refugee crisis report that women and children – who have made up 59% of arrivals in Greece since January 2016 – are experiencing serious and varied forms of gender-based violence, including rape and sexual exploitation. The international community has a responsibility to protect all women and girls, regardless of their immigration status, from gender-based violence, abuse and exploitation, and to provide life-saving assistance to those that have been subjected to such harm.

Summary of David Miliband's speech in Brussels.

A long-term refugee crisis, with thousands stranded in substandard camps, has unfolded on European soil. On the Greek islands 12,515 men, women and children await possible return to Turkey and the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has identified 59,569 people of concern across the country. The refugee crisis is part of a new global normal, in which unusually large numbers of people are displaced for longer than ever before, and where the disparity between their needs and provision is growing by the week. Europe's first priority must be to meet the humanitarian needs of refugees who have already arrived, and to process their asylum claims, family reunion and relocation transfers quickly. The EU-Turkey deal has not dampened the desperation of people attempting to reach sanctuary in Europe. Denied safe pathways into Europe, significantly more refugees are risking their lives by travelling via smuggling routes through the Balkans. Elsewhere in Europe, desperate people also continue to make the dangerous sea voyage from Libya to Italy. Resettlement of refugees must be a core part of a new global pact. Immediate increase in national resettlement efforts is required to offer safe routes of entry for those seeking sanctuary. EU decision makers must now step up to their responsibility and work to adopt the Union Resettlement Framework with annual targets that will make a real impact. The UN estimates that 10% of the global refugee population - the most vulnerable - need resettlement. IRC calculates that the European share is a minimum of 540,000 over the next five years, or 108,000 per year.

A long-term refugee crisis, with thousands stranded in substandard camps, has unfolded on European soil. On the Greek islands, 14,331 men, women and children await possible return to Turkey and the Greek Government reports 60,788 people of concern across the country. With increased border restrictions, some 6,000 refugees are now in Serbia, stretching the capacities of accommodation facilities. Close to 1,000 people are sleeping rough in the capital or at the two transit zones on the border with Hungary while the weather is turning increasingly colder. The refugee crisis is part of a new global norm, in which unusually large numbers of people are displaced for longer than ever before, and where the disparity between their needs and provision is growing by the week. Europe's first priority must be to meet the humanitarian needs of refugees who have already arrived, and to process their asylum claims, family reunion and relocation transfers quickly. Denied safe pathways into Europe, significantly more refugees are risking their lives by travelling via smuggling routes through the Balkans. Elsewhere in Europe, desperate people also continue to make the dangerous sea voyage from Libya to Italy. The proposed Union Resettlement Scheme represents a major opportunity for the EU to step up to its global responsibilities. An Immediate increase in resettlement efforts is required to offer safe routes of entry for those seeking sanctuary, alongside a robust and humane system to receive spontaneous arrivals. The UN estimates that 10% of the global refugee population - the most vulnerable - need resettlement. The IRC calculates that the European share is a minimum of 540,000 over the next five years, or 108,000 per year.