Athens DNA lab helps trace those lost at sea on Aegean crossing

Grandi_Cochetel_Mytilene_UNHCR_embassynews

Athens DNA lab helps trace those lost at sea on Aegean crossing

05/04/2016 ENstaff Aegean Sea, authorities, deaths, DNA, Mediterranean, refugees, UNHCR

With children accounting for 38 per cent of those on the move, the chances of them drowning on the crossing from Turkey to Greece have grown proportionately. An average of two children a day drown, according to UNHCR figures.

society

UNHCR urges immediate safeguards to be in place before any returns begin under EU-Turkey deal

04/04/2016 ENstaff Greece, refugee crisis, UNHCR

UNHCR does not object to returns of people without protection needs and who have not asked for asylum, providing that human rights are adhered to.

society

UNHCR: Geneva conference on Syrian refugees ends with new challenges ahead

01/04/2016 ENstaff Ban Ki-moon, Filippo Grandi, refugee crisis, UNHCR, United Nations

UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi spoke of the conference having achieved “a clear recognition of the need for solidarity and responsibility-sharing for refugees”.

society

The City of Athens and UNHCR support refugees

30/03/2016 ENstaff Ban Ki-moon, City of Athens, Filippo Grandi, refugee crisis, Syria, UNHCR

Meanwhile United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday called for global solidarity and the end of war in Syria.

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.

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.

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.

culture events

A poem for refugees

13/03/2016 ENstaff Greece, poem, refugees, UNHCR, World Poetry Day

While Greece is in the middle of the refugee crisis, Poets Circle, following a five-year period of poetic activism, brings the refugees issue to the forefront of cultural life in Greece and in the rest of the world through a series of events on March 21th 2016, World Poetry Day.

society

UNHCR reaction to EU Summit with Turkey

08/03/2016 ENstaff asylum, borders, crisis, EU, migrants, refugee crisis, Turkey, UNHCR

Turkey hosts close to 3 million refugees and has made enormous contributions for years and just recently adopted a work regulation for Syrian refugees, but, in light of the enormity of the task, still struggles to provide for all the basic needs of the swelling Syrian population.

events

Art Exhibition “Mare Monstrum” by Maria Giannakaki

08/03/2016 ENstaff Maria Giannakaki, refugee crisis, UNHCR

The art project aims at depicting, though paintings of various formats, the impact of the refugee flow towards Europe. The exhibition is held under the auspices of UNHCR.

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.