Nepalis’ Europe odyssey, through the treacherous Balkan route
Summary
More than a hundred Nepali migrants are stranded around Trieste, Italy, after traversing the dangerous Balkan migration route in hopes of asylum and a better future in Europe. Many face harsh living conditions and long delays in the asylum process.
Key Points
- At least ten Nepalis arrive nightly at Trieste railway station seeking aid from volunteers due to lack of institutional shelter.
- Nepalis use the perilous Balkan route through multiple countries, often relying on guides and informal agents, paying large sums for passage to Europe.
- Despite a decline in overall migrant flows through the Balkans, Nepali migrant numbers in Trieste have increased, especially among women travelling alone.
- Migrants face harsh conditions including homelessness, health risks, and long waits of months to register asylum applications in Italy.
