UNHCR, IOM and partners in $550m appeal for humanitarian operations in Europe

UNHCR, IOM and partners in $550m appeal for humanitarian operations in Europe

27/01/201627/01/2016 ENstaff IOM, migration, refugeecrisis, UNHCR

2015 saw over a million refugees and migrants arriving in Europe by boat. Around 850,000 of these crossed from Turkey to Greece.

society

IOC President Thomas Bach to visit refugee camp in Athens

27/01/201627/01/2016 ENstaff City of Athens, Giannis Mouzalas, IOC, Jaques Rogge, migration, reception centers, refugeecrisis, Thomas Bach

He will visit the Open Reception Centre for refugees in Eleonas, Athens on Thursday, January 28 2016.

Justice and Home Affairs Council_EU Media_embassynews

european union

EU’s JHA Council: two days, ten subjects

24/01/2016 ENstaff cyber crime, EU, EU presidency, European Union, JHA Council, migration, Netherlands, terrorism

The Informal Justice and Home Affairs Council (JHA Council) takes place on 25 and 26 January 2016. Ministers of Justice and Home Affairs from the EU member states will meet at the Europa Building in Amsterdam to discuss European cooperation on security, migration and justice.

A Medecins Sans Frontiers (MSF) and Greenpeace rescue team responded to a sinking rigid inflatable boat (rhib) carrying 45 Afghan refugees crossing from Turkey to the north shore of Lesvos, Greece. On arrival to the scene the poor quality inflatable was taking on water. The people on board were having problems with the outboard motor as it was poorly fitted and could not be restarted. It was soon obvious to the Greenpeace/MSF crew that the sponsons were rapidly losing air and the lives of the people were in immediate danger.

The Afghans in the vessel started screaming, please help us, we're sinking! We don't want to die! The rescue boats responded quickly and effectively to the situation as people started to panic and tried to jump from the boat. Babies and children were held in the air to alert the crew while parents cried out, take the children, we have children on board! The women and children were grabbed first and transferred into two Greenpeace/MSF boats that were flanking both sides of the sinking boat. All people were successfully rescued and transferred to Molyvos harbour where response teams were on standby.

european union society

MSF: “European policies failed to address the refugee crisis”

20/01/201619/01/2016 ENstaff Medecins Sans Frontieres, migration, MSF, refugeecrisis

Médecins Sans Frontières denounced the European Union’s catastrophic failure to respond to the humanitarian needs of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants in Europe in 2015, in a new report released on Tuesday.

society

“Brighter Lives for Refugees” campaign by IKEA

19/01/201619/01/2016 ENstaff IKEA, migration, refugeecrisis, UNHCR

The company has raised 30.8 million euros, to support refugee families in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. The money was raised from the sale of LED light bulbs and lamps between February 2014 and December 2015.

european union society

‘Migration crisis getting worse,’ EU Commissioner Avramopoulos says

16/01/201616/01/2016 ENstaff Avramopoulos, EU, European Commission, European Parliament, European Union, migration, refugee

EU Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos warned MEPs the refugee crisis was “getting worse” during a meeting organised by the Civil Liberties Committee. He said the EU’s unity was at stake amid an increase of “populism and nationalism”.

society

Deutsche Schule Athen supports refugees on Chios

08/01/201608/01/2016 ENstaff Chios, Deutsche Schule Athen, migration, refugee reception center, refugeecrisis, UNHCR

Representatives of the Deutsche Schule Athen recently visited the refugee reception centre on the island of Chios and offered 290 sleeping bags.

society

Vanessa Redgrave visits refugee camp in Athens

05/01/2016 ENstaff City of Athens, Giorgos Kaminis, migration, refugeecrisis, Vanessa Redgrave, Yiannis Mouzalas

She was received by the Mayor of Athens, Giorgos Kaminis and Minister of Migration Affairs, Yiannis Mouzalas on the refugee camp of Eleonas.

european union foreign affairs

The Netherlands: Europe’s Middleman [analysis]

04/01/201604/01/2016 ENstaff European Union, migration, refugeecrisis, Stratfor, The Netherlands

With the European Union threatened by waves of immigration and economic turbulence, the Dutch have a key role to play in maintaining the fundamental balance and structure of the EU. – Stratfor Global Intelligence

european union society

A million refugees and migrants flee to Europe in 2015

22/12/201524/12/2015 ENstaff Europe, Greece, IOM, Mediterranean, migrants, migration, refugee crisis, refugees, UNHCR

Persecution, conflict and poverty have driven a staggering one million people to seek safety in Europe in 2015, according to estimates by the UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR and the International Organization for Migration, IOM.

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.