Greece: Greece - Refugee Crisis (ECHO, UNHCR, media) (ECHO Daily Flash, 15 June 2016)

The overall number of refugees and migrants in Greece, including the islands, was reported as 57 113 on 12 June.

On 13 June, evacuation began of informal sites at Polykastro, close to the northern border and the former Idomeni site. Around 300 officers took part in the operation to relocate a total of around 4 000 migrants from the makeshift sites into state-run facilities.

The Greek authorities have communicated a plan to close a number of the approximately 45 sites for refugees and migrants that currently exist on the mainland as some are not considered suitable for the longer term due to lack of proximity to urban centres, public transport connections and adverse local climatic conditions. New sites will be set up elsewhere to host the current inhabitants. There is no final decision yet on which sites will remain. Nonetheless, it is confirmed that Diavata, Eleonas, Skaramagas, Schisto and Lagadikia will stay, whereas the Thessaloniki industrial sites and Cherso will not.

Provision for unaccompanied minors (UAMs) continues to be an issue. Due to lack of appropriate shelter for UAMs, some are held in detention in unacceptable conditions. Good examples exist elsewhere e.g. on Lesvos. At a meeting on 7 June the Greek General Secretary for Refugees, Mr Voudouris, emphasised that the UAMs issue is a priority, is being taken very seriously and that any problems related to UAMs should be reported directly to the Ministry of Migration.

The Greek authorities have confirmed that a unified pass system is being implemented to ensure relevant NGOs and international organisations (IOs) are able to have consistent access to sites.

For the industrial sites around Thessaloniki where refugees and migrants were recently moved to from Idomeni, a plan has been agreed between the authorities and NGOs and IOs (including some DG ECHO partners) to have one NGO/IO leading and coordinating NGO/IO activities in each camp to improve coordination. This will be under the leadership of the Greek authorities designated to run the sites. This model is intended to be rolled out across all sites in Greece eventually.