The last seven days have shown clear evidence of the overwhelming challenges posed by record numbers of migrants - most of them desperate refugees - as well as the ugly reactions from those unwilling to welcome them.
In the last week, The Huffington Post can reveal, negative sentiment around the term 'migrants' on Twitter has declined sharply. In August, 9% of tweets about migrants were negative, according to social media agency We Are Social. But in the week from 26 August and 1 September, that figure fell to just 2%.
"Negativity directed towards 'migrants' has decreased significantly this week compared to August and previous weeks," the agency told HuffPost UK, "indicating that strong opinions and criticism of migrants has decreased over time. Much of this discussion has concerned the use of the word 'migrant' with many mentions on Twitter citing this term as being 'politically loaded' and unfair."
Open Image Modal
Save the Children's members help migrating people rescued by the Royal Navy ship HMS Bulwark in June
"However, positivity has also decreased, with the proportion of neutral comments increasing. This indicates that while users are becoming more empathetic towards the migrant crisis, they may be less willing to publicly express an opinion as the debate becomes more heated. "
Usage of the words 'migrant' and 'refugee' on Twitter have soared over the past three weeks, with the use of "refugee" more than tripling to 15,617 mentions compared to the same period two weeks before, while mentions of the 'migrant' doubled to 18,656.
The growing movement of people prepared to welcome and support refugees suggests our understanding of the 'migrant crisis' has begun focus more on empathy, compassion for the thousands who are escaping devastation in countries like Syria and Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, the horror for those who die in their attempts to reach safety was laid bare by startling new figures on fatalities in the Mediterranean, and the appalling fate of the people found dead in an abandoned lorry in Austria.
And the the widely-published picture of Aylan Kurdi, the 3-year-old Syrian refugee found drowned on the shores of Turkey, shocked the world and motivated thousands of Brits to sign a petition demanding government action to help more victims.
As the humanitarian side of the issue comes to the surface, here are 14 signs that perceptions in the UK and Europe are shifting towards compassion:
13 signs attitudes to migrants have reached a turning point
Yvette Cooper changed the game(01 of14)
Open Image Modal
David Cameron's reference to migrants as a "swarm" is long forgotten. Yvette Cooper's passionate speech calling for Britain to take in 10,000 refugees marked a watershed moment, and one of the first times a major politician focused on empathy and compassion in the migrant crisis.
The Labour leadership contender called for every town and city to take in ten migrant families to help those fleeing war-torn countries.
Evoking the 10,000 Jewish refugees taken in by the country in WWII, she proclaimed: “We need to be able to look our grandparents in the eyes and say we faced up to the challenges and responsibilities of our time just as they did theirs. And we need to be able to look our grandchildren in the eyes and say we did not turn our backs.” (credit:Dan Kitwood via Getty Images)
Humanity washed ashore(02 of14)
Open Image Modal
The photos of the body of Aylan Kurdi, the toddler who died with his mother and brother trying to reach Greece from Turkey, were shared by a Human Rights Watch director, and then appeared throughout the European media, which called outright for action from world leaders to prevent more such tragedies. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
A petition to the government asking the UK to accept more refugees had only 16,000 signatures on Wednesday lunchtime, before the picture of Aylan went viral. Just 24 hours later it had over 100,000, and is still growing, urging those in power to prevent refugees from being "left living in dire, unsafe and inhumane conditions in Europe."
Merkel takes a stand(05 of14)
Open Image Modal
Despite over 200 arson attacks by far-right groups on refugee shelters in Germany this year, German Chancellor Angela Merkel's response has inspired people around the world this week.
“There can be no tolerance of those who question the dignity of other people,” she said, standing in front of anti-refugee protestors waving placards against her at a shelter which was attacked. “There is no tolerance of those who are not ready to help, where, for legal and humanitarian reasons, help is due,” Merkel added. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
German inspiration(06 of14)
Open Image Modal
The ugly face of some protestors in Germany could not overshadow the kindness of the majority of people in the country, which has shone through this week. The huge numbers of migrants were welcomed with gifts, supplies and support - even at the very same shelter which was attacked before Merkel's speech. (credit:Matthias Rietschel via Getty Images)
Giving too much(07 of14)
Open Image Modal
People arriving at Munich's main station were met with baby food, drinks and other items brought by locals to welcome them to the country. As well as essential supplies, children were greeted with toys. One girl received a balloon and teddy bear.
Police even said they were given so many things they were overwhelmed, tweeting: "We're overwhelmed by the good people have brought for the refugees. Please do not bring any more things." (credit:Getty Images)
The right medicine(08 of14)
Open Image Modal
Words in the media this week have moved increasingly towards the fundamental triggers behind much of the crisis - the conflict and persecution ravaging the Middle East and North Africa.
Andrew Mitchell, the Former International Development Secretary, said what many less-prominent figures have been thinking: that we need to treat "the cause", not just the symptoms, of the crisis.
"The whole of the world community" needs to get involved, he said, adding that "What is essential is that there is a political solution to the catastrophe that has engulfed Syria." (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Desperate lengths(09 of14)
Open Image Modal
This picture of a migrant painfully crammed behind the engine of a car further emphasised the horrific measures hundreds of people are enduring to enter Europe - and a desperation that seems to know no bounds.
The man, believed to be from the West African nation of Guinea, was found curled up behind the engine as the vehicle he was concealed in entered the Spanish territory of Ceuta from Morocco.
Unimaginable tragedy(10 of14)
Open Image Modal
The gruesome deaths of 71 people found decomposed after travelling in a truck in Austria was a shocking discovery that moved the world further to think of the fates of those who take enormous risks to find a new home. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
A movement is born(11 of14)
Open Image Modal
The movement of those supporting refugees has grown rapidly, captured by thousands of protestors on the streets of Vienna in Austria on Monday, days after the 71 refugees were found dead in a truck on an Austrian highway.
The crowds, many dressed in white, held candles and banners with slogans reading "Human Rights are Borderless". Austrian singer and human rights activist Willi Resetarits said that he ahd heard chants of "Say it loud, say it clear, refugees are welcome here".
The route of the demonstration even had to be changed because so many turned up to take part. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
A 'misnamed crisis'(12 of14)
Open Image Modal
The crisis itself has stated to be redefined with empathy: the word "refugee" is being increasingly used instead of "migrant" to describe the people moving across the continent, highlighting that so many of them are trying to escape death or persecution.
Former foreign secretary David Miliband branded the situation a "misnamed crisis" on Tuesday.
“It seems not misnamed by accident. It’s been too convenient to misname it as a migrant crisis, because it suggests these people are voluntarily fleeing, whereas in fact – if you’ve been barrel-bombed out of your home three times, life and limb demand that you flee... It’s not about being politically incorrect in using the term migrant. It’s simply incorrect.” (credit:Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Interest rises(13 of14)
Open Image Modal
Google searches for the term "refugees" jumped sharply last week (beginning 26th August) and overtook the number of searches for "migrants" for the first time this month, reflecting the rise in awareness of the humanitarian aspect of the crisis. (credit:Google Trends)
Rewriting the story(14 of14)
Open Image Modal
Other UK politicians have begun to question the mainstream narrative told by those in power. Pippa Bartolotti, the Wales Green Party Leader blogged on HuffPost UK saying "Dear Mr Cameron, this is not a migrant crisis, this is a refugee crisis."
In her piece she challenges Cameron for withdrawing British support from the rescue efforts in the Mediterranean last year.
"Your message seemed to be 'Let the refugees drown - it will discourage the others.' What a dereliction of moral authority."
She continues: "Our country is a safe and secure place for those fleeing war. Many of these conflicts were started or exacerbated by rich western countries. If we can't accept the consequences of our actions, we shouldn't have taken the action in the first place. In this case, the consequences of wars we have either started, fuelled or contributed to are more than a million refugees and the harrowing sight of innocent little bodies being washed up on the shores of the Mediterranean." (credit:Matthew Horwood via Getty Images)