ECHO Factsheet – Greece: Response to the Refugee Crisis – July 2017 [EN/EL]

Key messages

• Greece has experienced an unprecedented influx of refugees and migrants. While close to 857 000 people transited through the country in 2015, in 2016 nearly 172 000 people arrived in Greece by sea alone. The closure of the border between the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Greece in early March 2016 had the effect of leaving thousands of refugees and migrants stranded in Greece – often without adequate accommodation, healthcare and access to education.

• Upon request of Greece, the European Civil Protection Mechanism was activated on 3 December 2015. In response, 20 different European countries have offered more than 200 000 relief items, such as tents, beds, sleeping bags, blankets, hygiene kits and power generators.

• By July 2017, the European Commission has awarded emergency support contracts totaling €401 million to its humanitarian aid partners in Greece, such as UN bodies, the Red Cross/Crescent movement and NGOs. The funding covers the delivery of primary healthcare, psycho-social care, improved hygiene conditions and shelter (including in apartments) for those in need, care for unaccompanied minors, as well as informal education and a cash voucher scheme for refugees stranded in Greece.

Humanitarian situation and needs

In 2015-2016, Greece has experienced an unprecedented influx of migrants and refugees fleeing war and deprivation in their home countries, or in search of a better and safer life in the EU. With the closure of the so-called "Balkan migration route" in March 2016, tens of thousands of refugees were left stranded in the country. Following the EU-Turkey Statement, the number of new arrivals in Greece has dropped significantly to an average of 81 per day between March 2016 and July 2017.

The overall humanitarian situation of refugees and migrants on the mainland has improved over recent months. The situation on the islands is challenging as migrants and refugees arriving on the islands after 20 March 2016 have to stay there until a decision on their asylum application has been taken.