Refugee issue in Greece – 2nd half of 2018

Refugees’ flows in Greece, during the 2nd half of 2018, continue to be intense. This problem is raising strong concerns about whether the country can manage the safe hosting of refugees and immigrants, or not. The large number of inputs, compared to the small number of outflows, creates a problematic situation in the Balkan region.

With an estimated number of more than 100.000 refugees and immigrants, a number that constantly increases, aid mechanisms and existing hosting infrastructures are not enough. The difficulty of moving these people to other European countries, and the refusal of refugees to return voluntarily back to Turkey, creates a need for immediate solution..

Statistics.

According to data released by the Ministry for Migration Policy (October 2018), over 25.000 refugees and migrants remain on Greek islands. This number increases the total number of asylum seekers in Greece since 2015. Recorded refugees and migrants who remain in the country are over 95.000.

Although significant efforts are being made to transfer a proportion of these refugees to other EU countries, mainly in Germany, as part of the family reunification program, the number of refugees who finally travel legally is very small. At the same time, the requests of other EU countries for returning to Greece persons who do not have the necessary residence documents, are considerably increased.

The actions which have been taken to control the inflows and outflows of refugees and migrants are significant, but more intensive are the efforts to ensure decent living conditions for those people.

As inflows of refugees and migrants are growing, the living conditions are becoming more and more difficult. The improvement of the living conditions for these persons is the overall aim of the European Project SCORE. This aim will be achieved through the targeted training of health professionals and community workers, who are working with refugees and migrants in areas except the first entrance and hot spot areas. The purpose of the training is to help professionals to gain the knowledge and skills which are necessary, in order to provide services which refugees and migrants need.