“Until now, the Balkan route, was the safest way for people to cross to Europe and right now over 60 per cent of the population are women and children of the population crossing. If the border is closing, they will resort to the smuggling system and it will put them further at risk and it will be much more dangerous and that is for sure a concern. There should be safe and legal options for people to apply for asylum and to be able to reach Europe, and with the Balkan route closing, it’s even more difficult to (do) for people now.” Interview with Francisca Baptista da Silva, Médecins Sans Frontières