Greece

Year-end Overview

Plan Overview

Working environment

 More than a million refugees and migrants arrived in Greece in 2015 and early 2016. Following border restrictions in the Balkan route and the implementation of the EU-Turkey Statement in March 2016, the number of arrivals dropped and the overall situation is stabilizing in 2017. However, the situation in the islands remains a concern. UNHCR has a presence in 11 locations in Greece (six on islands and five in the mainland).

As of September 2017, UNHCR estimates that there are some 43,000 refugees and migrants in Greece. The number of new arrivals have been relatively stable since April 2016, and substantial changes in the overall trends are not foreseen. The current relocation of asylum-seekers from Greece to other EU countries is expected to conclude by the end of 2017. Transfers for family reunification and returns to countries of origin under the voluntary return scheme are expected to continue in 2018.

In 2018, UNHCR will capitalize on the progress made in the area of protection case management and protection responses in particular for unaccompanied and separated children and SGBV prevention and response. The accommodation and cash-based interventions schemes could support a meaningful transition to self-reliance and pave the way for integration. By the end of 2018, it is estimated that up to 20,000 refugees will remain in the country. UNHCR will work closely with authorities, both at national and local level, to support the design of integration policies and increase self-reliance opportunities.
 

Key priorities

The main objectives in 2018 will be to phase out of direct involvement in service provision and assistance and focus on advocacy, capacity development and protection monitoring.
In 2018 there will be the need to continue the accommodation scheme in close cooperation with the Government and municipalities, the provision of cash assistance and the identification of and response to protection risks, particularly for children and women. The focus will be on creating the conditions for self-reliance and the potential for integration for refugees staying in Greece. The competence for issues linked to integration is located in different parts of the central administration, across at least seven different Ministries. As such, it is paramount to design a comprehensive strategy on integration with the aim to strengthen the capacity of the Ministry of Migration, increase the involvement of competent Ministries, and promote the role of Municipalities, while ensuring inclusion of asylum-seekers and refugees in the process as well as their access to mainstream services.