Greece: MSF ends activities inside the Lesvos “hotspot”

Greece: MSF ends activities inside the Lesvos “hotspot”

23/03/201623/03/2016 ENstaff hot spots, Medecins Sans Frontieres, migration, MSF, refugee crisis

“We took the extremely difficult decision to end our activities in Moria because continuing to work inside would make us complicit in a system we consider to be both unfair and inhumane,” said Marie Elisabeth Ingres, MSF Head of Mission in Greece.

society

UNHCR redefines role in Greece as EU-Turkey deal comes into effect

23/03/201622/03/2016 ENstaff Greece, refugee crisis, UNHCR

UNHCR officials express their concern that the EU-Turkey deal is being implemented before the required safeguards are in place in Greece.

society

FRONTEX seeks 1,500 police officers, 50 readmission officers for Greece

22/03/2016 ENstaff FRONTEX, migration, refugee crisis

Several Member States have already committed to providing additional officers.

european union society

Brussels under attack [upd]

22/03/201622/03/2016 ENstaff airport, attacks, Brussels, European Union, terrorism, Zaventem airport

Explosions at Brussels Airport and metro stations killed at least 23 people according to police and hospitals reports.

society

Norway supports refugees in Greece

21/03/2016 ENstaff Embassy of Norway, EU Civil Protection Mechanism, Norway, refugee crisis

Norway supports Greece dealing with the asylum and migration situation by delivering beds and bed mattresses via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.

A Syrian refugee family walks at the head of a column organised by the Croatian police, one kilometre from the border crossing with Serbia. They are being moved to buses that will take them to Opatovic Transit Center.

UNHCR works to support vulnerable families on the move, especially the many unaccompanied or separated children at risk of sickness, trauma, violence, exploitation and trafficking.

We are particularly concerned about the welfare of unaccompanied boys and girls on the move and unprotected across Europe, many of whom have experienced the horrors of war and considerable hardship in making these journeys alone, says UNHCR Assistant High Commissioner for Protection Volker Türk. ; More than 643,000 refugees and migrants arrived in Europe via the Mediterranean sea this year, including 502,500 in Greece only. Many of the refugees and migrants are desperate to move quickly onwards to Western Europe, fearing that borders ahead of them will close.

society

UNHCR: Asylum safeguards must prevail

19/03/201620/03/2016 ENstaff EU, European Council, Turkey, UNHCR

The way the EU – Turkey plan will be implemented is crucial. The response must be about addressing the compelling needs of individuals fleeing war and persecution, UNHCR said.

society

UNHCR Special Envoy Angelina Jolie Pitt visited Greece

16/03/2016 ENstaff Alexis Tsipras, Angelina Jolie PItt, refugee crisis, UHCR

UNHCR Special Envoy Angelina Jolie Pitt met with Prime Minsiter Alexis Tsipras and discussed the current refugee crisis and the situation in Idomeni.

The destroyed neighbourhood of Khalidiya in the Old City of Homs, Syria. Homs has been witness to some of the worst fighting of the Syrian conflict and the Old City district now lies in ruins. The area is largely uninhabitable however a few people are attempting to return and rebuild.
The fighting stopped in the Old City in April 2014 and since then a small number of residents, around 2000, have returned to the area. UNHCR is providing humanitarian aid to the majority of people in Homs and rural Homs with food, core relief items, shelter, protection services, health, education and psycho-social support. One of the biggest challenges facing the returnees is rebuilding their homes in old Homs and Hamediyeh, a project supported by UNHCR. ; Homs has been witness to some of the worst fighting of the Syrian conflict and the Old City district now lies in ruins. An estimated 2000-3000 people have returned to old city of Homs after years of displacement.

society

Syria conflict enters 6th year

15/03/201615/03/2016 ENstaff Filippo Grandi, refugee crisis, Syria, UNHCR

“Syria is the biggest humanitarian and refugee crisis of our time, a continuing cause of suffering for millions which should be garnering a groundswell of support around the world,” said UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi.

Avramopoulos Idoemeni_Twitter_embassynews

european union society

EU Commissioner Avramopoulos visits Idomeni border area

15/03/201615/03/2016 ENstaff Avramopoulos, borders, EU, European Commission, European Union, Greece, Idomeni, migrants, refugee crisis

EU Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos, in his remarks during his visit to Idomeni in Greek-FYROM borders, said: “What we see today in Idomeni should be the last chapter of a tragedy that must not be repeated. We need to stop it…”

society

Romania assumed the Chairmanship of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance

15/03/201614/03/2016 ENstaff Embassy of Romania, IHRA, International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, Romania

An event to mark the beginning of the Romanian IHRA Chairmanship was held by the Embassy of Romania in the Hellenic Republic.

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.