Greece | ASB Foreign Aid

Improving the Greek reception system | Greece

The ASB worked with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in five locations to support the Greek reception system. The towns included in the project were Diavata, Katsikas, Filippiada, Doliana and Agia Eleni. There, the ASB helped to manage water, toilets and accommodation, and provided toiletries that were needed by the refugees. The ASB also helped protect people by providing legal advice, psychological and psychosocial support and child protection. In addition, the ASB provided support regarding education by setting up child-friendly rooms and offering language courses for children.

The project

Project title: Improving the Greek reception system by supporting site management and targeted interventions in long-term accommodation
Project region: Northern Greece
Financing: European Commission (DG HOME)
Project volume: € 6,489,657.34
Project duration: 01/01/2019 - 31/12/2019
Target group: Refugees and migrants

In 2018, the situation in Greece regarding immigration was very difficult: Greece was in a state of emergency. Many refugees arrived, but there was not enough space in the shelters. That was a safety problem, and the authorities could not respond quickly enough. A total of 34,319 migrants and asylum seekers arrived in Greece in 2018.

Photo credits: ASB Griechenland
Photo credits: Ioannina/ASB Griechenland

How the ASB is helping in Greece

Aid on the Greek mainland

The project was designed to support the Greek state in helping people living in shelters on the Greek mainland. These people are migrants, also including asylum seekers and people qualifying for international protection. The aim was to help them by ensuring that they have suitable living conditions, essential assistance and protection in all accommodations. A consistent approach and coordinated measures were applied for this purpose.

Structural aid for accommodations

The ASB and IOM took various measures in all five locations to improve and coordinate the services currently offered. These measures concerned the management of accommodations, the protection of people and education.