Episode 9

Thàinig còrr is millean neach-imrich ‘s fògarraich a-staigh dhan Roinn Eòrpa an-uiridh – tha dùil ri tuilleadh am-bliadhna. Tha cogaidhean ann an Ioràc, Siria is Afganastan, a bharrachd air bochdainn is cion chothroman ann an cuid de dhùthchannan eile air toirt orra an dachaighean fhàgail. Chan e ge-tà rathad furasta th’ ann. Sa gheamhradh, le cho fiadhaich sa tha na h-uisgeachan sa Mhuir Mheadhain Thìreach, ‘s ann a tha fògarraich ‘s luchd-imrich a’ taghadh an t-slighe tro na dùthchannan Bàlcanach. An t-seachdain-sa tha Darren Linc a’ leantainn an rathad a tha iad a’ gabhail, ‘s a’ coinneachadh ri cuid aca air an t-slighe bhon chrìoch eadar a’ Ghrèig ‘s Masadònia, chun chrìoch eadar Serbia ‘s Croatia.

Over a million migrants and refugees arrived in Europe last year, with more expected this year. Wars in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as poverty and a lack of opportunity in many other countries have led to many leaving their homelands. It isn’t an easy journey though. In the winter, with rough seas affecting the Mediterranean route to Europe, migrants and refugees are choosing to reach the sanctuary of the West via the Balkans. This week, Darren Laing follows their route from the Greek-Macedonian border to the Serbian-Croatian border, and meets many of those making the arduous journey.