Description
Two Greek organisations – Médecins du Monde and Greek Council of Refugees – will continue running a reception centre for asylum seekers in downtown Athens. The reception centre can house 70 asylum seekers at a time, and priority will be given to single-parent families and other vulnerable groups (e.g. elderly, victims of trafficking and torture etc). The centre will offer accommodation and food, but also a number of important services such as legal counselling, medical care, psychosocial support, interpretation and educational services. More than 300 asylum-seekers are expected to benefit from the centre and its services. Greece has become one of the most important European countries of destination and especially transit for a large number of illegal migrants. Greece has few reception centres compared to the needs, and most centres are funded by the EU on short-term grants. EEA Grants will allow for longer term funding, and ensure important services to vulnerable groups.
Summary of project results
In the funding period the project has not deviated from its original objectives. Emphasis was given on vulnerable cases of Asylum Seekers that were living under inadequate conditions in different sites in regional Greece and the Islands of Northern Aegean or being homeless in urban areas. All beneficiaries received, immediately after their placement, supporting services, medical care and legal assistance while everyone visited and got registered in the educational program. Important is the fact that all school age children were supported and regularly participated in the Greek school despite the language and cultural barriers. Also noting that social service and legal service have made steps to facilitating the interaction of beneficiaries in the public sector, be it for health and welfare services or for asylum service. Several of the guests coming to the center were suffering from neglected health problems and were in very bad emotional state. Through constant medical care, psychological support and ensured housing conditions they achieve to addressing their personal problems. Overall up to the end of April of 2017, total number of beneficiaries was 547.
Summary of bilateral results