German organizations donated 5 ambulances to Greek autorities

German organizations donated 5 ambulances to Greek autorities

12/02/201612/02/2016 ENstaff Apostoli, Deutsch-Griechische Versammlung, EKAV, KEDE, Lesvos, Paionias, Prefecture of the Northern Aegean, Samos, Worker's Samaritan Federation

Five vehicles were donated to the Prefecture of the Northern Aegean, the Municipalities of Samos, Lesvos, Paionias, KEDE and the Apostoli NGO.

society

UNHCR statement on the situation in Turkey

10/02/2016 ENstaff Aleppo, refugee crisis, Syria, Turkey, UNHCR

In view of the recent displacement in Aleppo province and the extreme vulnerabilities, UNHCR is encouraging authorities to ensure a broader access to Turkish territory for all those in need of international protection in line with the long-standing Turkish open-border policy.

On 26 January 2016, a young boy is carrying a large bundle of warm blankets on his shoulders. He is in the Miratovac Refugee Aid Point where, along with his family members, he can access support services and have an opportunity to rest before continuing his journey.

In 2015, more than one million refugees and migrants crossed the Mediterranean, arriving on Europeís shores, of which an estimated 253,700 ñ or one in four ñ were children. Latest trends show that children now make up 36 percent of the migration flow coming through the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Woman and children now make up 57 percent of the refugee and migrants with the majority from Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq. Children arriving into a harsh winter in southeastern Europe are physically exhausted, scared, distressed and often in need of medical assistance, UNICEF warned.The recent sub-zero temperatures and sometimes snowy conditions is exacerbating the childrenís poor physical condition as many children on the move do not have adequate clothing, or access to age-appropriate nutrition. This has been worsened by the lack of shelter and inadequate heating in some reception centres as well as buses and trains. UNICEF said the issue was pressing as the proportion of children amongst refugees and migrants ñ now more than one in three ñ has continued to increase. According to national sources, in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, the ratio was 37 per cent in December, compared to 23 per cent in September, while in Serbia, 36 per cent were children in December compared to 27 per cent in September. In December most children transiting through UNICEF child-friendly spaces in Serbia were young children, including babies and infants and those between 5 to 9 years old.

european union society

More children and women seek safety in Europe: UNICEF

03/02/2016 ENstaff children, Europe, FYROM, migrants, refugees, UNICEF, women

For the first time since the start of the refugee and migrant crisis in Europe, there are more children and women on the move than adult males, says UNICEF.

people society

A digital guide to Thessaloniki’s Jewish history

03/02/201608/02/2016 ENstaff embassy of Canada, Embassy of Germany, Embassy of Israel, Jewish community, Thessaloniki

The i-Phone Jewish Legacy APP presents through an interactive map, the city’s landmarks linked to the rich history and culture of Thessaloniki’s Jewish community.

people society

Two Greeks and a Holywood actress nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize

02/02/201602/02/2016 ENstaff

Two residents of the Aegean island of Lesvos and Susan Saradon were proposed by the Academy of Athens and the Hellenic Olympic Committee.

society

IOM: Migrant arrivals in Greece reached 62,000 in January

02/02/2016 ENstaff IOM, migrants, refugeecrisis, Syrianrefugees

Fatalities of migrants and refugees in the Mediterranean in January topped 360 due to a particularly deadly final weekend of the month.

society

The “Supporting Syria and the Region” conference to take place in London

01/02/201601/02/2016 ENstaff Germany, Kuwait, Norway, refugeecrisis, SupportSyrians, UK, United Nation

The UK, Germany, Kuwait, Norway and the United Nations on February 4th will co-host the conference in London, in an effort to raise significant new funding.

society

OECD and UNHCR call for scaling up integration policies in favour of refugees

30/01/2016 ENstaff OECD, refugeecrisis, UNHCER

The organizations call on governments to scale up their efforts to help refugees integrate and contribute to the societies and economies of Europe.

people society

The Waypoint Documentary: Washington Post follows refugees on their journey through Lesbos to Europe

29/01/2016 ENstaff documentary, Greece, Lesbos, migrants, newspaper, refugee crisis, Turkey, Washington Post

Washington Post: “In the most common landing areas, along the island’s north shore, the Turkish coast is just five miles away. The crossing takes as little as an hour, but the trip can be deadly in bad weather…”

Transparency International_embassynews.net

society

Transparency International: Corruption still high but 2015 saw signs of hope

28/01/2016 ENstaff corruption, Corruption Perceptions Index, Transparency International

The big decliners in the past 4 years include Libya, Australia, Brazil, Spain and Turkey. The big improvers include Greece, Senegal and UK.

interviews people

Ambassador of Norway:”The challenge for the Greek economy is its competitive edge and its business climate” [interview]

07/06/2016 ENstaff

The Ambassador of Norway in Athens, His Excellency Jørn Eugene Gjelstad, spoke to EmbassyNews.net and commented on the current developments in Greek and European politics, the economy and the refugee crisis.