About UNHCR in Greece

Greece is a party to the 1951 UN Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and the Government has the responsibility to process asylum claims and to decide whether somebody can be granted refugee status in Greece.

In Greece, therefore, UNHCR does not register refugees, UNHCR does not examine asylum applications and UNHCR does not issue refugee documents. The government is responsible for that.

UNHCR’s role in Greece focuses on working with the Government, non-governmental and other organizations, volunteer networks and communities to ensure the protection of refugees and asylum seekers arriving in Greece.

UNHCR advocates for the improvement of policies and services that affect the lives of refugees.
UNHCR supports the Government to improve the process through which people can apply for asylum and access rights.
Where necessary UNHCR helps the Government to fulfill the basic needs of asylum-seekers and refugees. In some cases, UNHCR provides support when there are gaps related to shelter, water, sanitation, food, basic household items, health, education, information provision, coordination and site management. UNHCR does this either directly or by working with partners. UNHCR’s role varies from location to location, depending on the identified needs and partnerships.
UNHCR assists asylum-seekers by connecting them with partners who can provide social and legal advice and representation.
UNHCR also provides support to government officials, the staff of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and others to enhance their capacity to understand and respond to the needs of refugees.

UNHCR staff will listen to you and inform you of the options and procedures that are available to you to allow you to make informed decisions for yourself. Everything you say will be confidential. UNHCR will also refer you to relevant NGOs or an authority that might be able to provide you with the services or support necessary. UNHCR will only share your information if you agree.

• UNHCR staff can give you clear and practical legal information. We can inform you about the procedures that you must complete when you arrive in Greece. We can provide you with information on how to apply for asylum, family reunification in another European country, relocation to another European country, or assisted voluntary to return to your home country. We can also inform you of your rights and obligations as an asylum seeker or beneficiary of international protection in Greece.
• UNHCR staff will explain to you specific procedures that may apply to the following groups: a) unaccompanied children b) persons with a disability or persons suffering from an incurable or serious illness, c) elderly, d) pregnant women or women having recently given birth, e) single parents with minor children, f) survivors of torture, rape or other serious forms of psychological, physical or sexual violence or exploitation, or persons with a post-traumatic disorder, in particularly survivors and relatives of victims of ship-wrecks, g) victims of trafficking. Only if you agree, will UNHCR staff share this information with the authorities or other organizations.
• If you are at risk because of your gender, age or sexual orientation, UNHCR can advise you on where to seek help. We can refer you to the relevant organization or authority for further support and protection, but will only do so if you agree.

UNHCR’s responsibilities are limited to the following:

• The primary responsibility to protect and assist refugees in Greece is with the Greek Government. UNHCR works to support the Greek authorities in achieving that objective.
  The role of UNHCR in Greece does not include receiving and/or processing of asylum or resettlement applications. UNHCR staff will inform you of how you can apply for asylum with the Greek authorities.
• UNHCR in Greece cannot return you to your country of origin or another country. But we will inform you of the options available and how you can ask for assisted voluntary return.
• UNHCR can only facilitate shelter and assistance to vulnerable individuals and families within the overall system provided by the Greek authorities and other organizations.

• UNHCR teams are based in Athens, Lesvos, Chios, Samos, Kos, Leros, Kalymnos, Rhodes, Thessaloniki, Ioannina, Larissa and Kavala, covering through physical presence, field missions and ad hoc visits all sites in their area of responsibility.
• UNHCR’s Representation office is located in Athens. This office does not receive persons seeking information or assistance. Any urgent question can be addressed to UNHCR Greece via email.

We work through our own staff and by working with international and national NGOs and local authorities. These include:

• Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA Germany)
• Association for the Social Support of Youth (ARSIS)
• Action Aid
• Caritas
• Catholic Relief Service (CRS)
• Danish Refugee Council (DRC)
• Greek Council for Refugees (GCR)
• ELIX
• Ecumenical Refugee Programme (ERP)
• Finn Church Aid (FCA)
• Humanitarian Support Agency (HSA)
• International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC)
• International Rescue Committee (IRC)
• International Medical Corps (IMC)
• IOCC- Apostoli
• Light the House Relief
• Médecins du Monde (MDM)
• Mercy Corps
• METAdrasi
• Network for Children’s’ Right (NCR)
• Norwegian MFA
• Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC)
• Probitas
• RESCUE
• SAMARITAN’S PURSE
• Save the Children (SCI)
• Secours Islamique France (SIF)
• SOLIDARITY INTERNATIONAL
• Solidarity Now
• SOS Children’s Villages
• SOS Children’s Villages International
• Swiss Solidarity
• Syn-eirmos
• Translators Without Borders
• UNFPA
• UNICEF
• Women and Health Alliance International (WAHA)

For more information about UNHCR Greece information products and webpages, kindly refer to the UNHCR Greece information portal here, UNHCR Greece webpage here or access UNHCR Greece’s Facebook link here.

You can find information about the ESTIA accommodation scheme here.