Joint EU-UNICEF program for more than 6 000 children of refugees and immigrants in Greece

The new action of UNICEF and the European Union will support more than 6 000 children of refugees and immigrants, including unaccompanied minors, throughout Greece. This action will be financed from the Meso Support Emergency EU, with which the European Commission may finance emergency operational programs within the EU.
At a time of difficult weather conditions in Greece, the program will provide care and security in refugee and immigrant children, and access to child care and education services. This would have the opportunity for a new start, after the wars, conflicts and deprivation experienced, xanavriskontas vigor and smoothness.
"This is the first time that UNICEF and the European Commission work together to provide humanitarian assistance to refugee children in the EU. This project will fill important gaps, to ensure that displaced children and their families are protected, They are safe and have the opportunity to regain a sense of normality. Since they are one of the most vulnerable and need urgent support, We will focus on children who are not accompanied by an adult member of their family ", said Mr.. Panos Karvounis, Head of European Commission Representation in Greece.
Estimated to be in Greece 21 000 children of refugees and immigrants. Many children suffer from severe mental disorders because of their experiences, the difficult living conditions in the refugee accommodation centers and the ongoing uncertainty. Many of these, regardless of age, outside the school for two years, an.
"It is children who have been uprooted no fault in anything, They have lost their home and school environment, and some have lost family members. This initiative, worth 8,5 million will contribute to stabilizing their fragile lives, and provide them with housing, child protection services and access to formal and informal education "explained Mr.. Laurent Chapuis, coordinator of UNICEF to address the refugee / immigration crisis in Greece.
Special emphasis will be placed on the services provided to unaccompanied minors; s 400 of them will provide temporary accommodation in host structure while awaiting asylum request, family reunification or resettlement in Greece or in Europe. other 6 000 vulnerable children and women residing in open centers and urban structures will benefit from psychosocial support, case management and referral to specialized child protection services.
Education has been recognized as one of the priorities for the children of refugees and immigrants, as well as their parents in Greece. These children not only have lost years of their education, but also, almost, every sense of stability and normality of their lives, loss adds, the existing pressure, anxiety and confusion and deprive the caring school environment, which can help them to cope with the inconvenience experienced.
At the request of the Greek authorities, UNICEF is also focused on providing informal but quality education in 5 000 children of refugees and immigrants. The program will include native language courses and skills training for children at risk, including children outside school and unaccompanied minors. Temporary education structures will be installed in open centers and urban areas, and in community centers, for all age groups 3 until 17 years old. UNICEF will support the formal education provided by the Ministry of Education, in particular by raising awareness and knowledge of the world and the granting of material aid.
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On the part of the European Commission Humanitarian Aid
The European Commission's Directorate General for Civil Protection and Humanitarian Operations financed assistance programs for victims of natural disasters and conflicts at international level. EU humanitarian aid is provided impartially and directly to people in need, without racial, ethnic, religious and age discrimination or discrimination based on gender or political affiliation.
For further information on the part of the European Commission Humanitarian Aid, visit
http://ec.europa.eu/echo/index_en
or contact:
· Clementine Diacomanol, Head Press, European Commission Representation in Greece, Klimentini.DIAKOMANOLI@ec.europa.eu, +30 210 72 72 112
Carlos Martin Ruiz De Gordejuela, Spokesperson for Humanitarian issues and Crisis Management, European Commission, carlos.martin@ec.europa.eu, +32 (0)2 29 65322
About UNICEF
The UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child in every action. working in 190 countries and regions to put into practice this commitment, with particular emphasis on helping the most vulnerable and marginalized children, employees on behalf of all children no matter where you are.
For more information about UNICEF, visit www.unicef.org
Or contact them:
Sarah Crowe, A spokesman for the refugee / migration crisis, UNICEF Geneva, scrowe@unicef.org, +41 79 543 80 29
Laurent Chapuis, Coordinator of UNICEF to address the refugee / immigration crisis in Greece, lchapuis@unicef.org, +30 698 066 27 51

Source: European Commission Representation in Greece