Structures of Reception and Protection in Greece Brussels, 29 May 2017 University of Durham research ‘Transitory Lives’

Dramatis Personae The hotspot approach (overcrowding, services of identification, vulnerability assess, reception, shelter/minors and asylum under one roof, overall manager lacking until recently in Moria) EU-Turkey statement implications (NGOs exited, ECHO not funding during admin detention, leaving often problematic NGOs operating inside) Camps (delays due to lack of clarity on list of sights, large number so as not to create ghettos mean logistics and financial challenges) Guesthouses and apartments (UNHCR, NGOs, foundations), UASMs Improvised camps and squats (volunteers/solidarity groups, questions of ownership and services, protection concerns inside)

Challenges Coordination (government oversight, sectors/locations, UNHCR /INGOs/NGOs/volunteers-solidarity groups in neighbourhoods/professions) Multiple funding channels for different structures (ECHO, AMIF, others) Legal assistance short (Greek lawyers: Asylum drive welcome/not enough) Relocation accommodation excludes Afghans and others in need and islands (based on recognition rate nationalities) Interpretation (70 nationalities, multiplicity of languages) Different profiles of families, individuals, LGBTQI community, religions/sects Language barrier to integration Local communities changing attitude, especially on islands Individualised assistance vs erosion of humanitarian principles

Protection concerns Adequate appropriate accommodation for unaccompanied minors Change in vulnerability according to changes in needs of refugees Vulnerability of single men Transit accommodation for VoT and SGBV victims Age determination for UASMs Appropriate education and pastime options according to gender/age (links to integration) How can advocacy be effective when there is a unique donour for many NGOs (ECHO)

Recommendations Family reunification taking years, short term integration plan Despite initial plans, many refugees will remain in Greece, longer term integration plan Role of second generation migrants in Greece in the integration should be recognised Plan for initial assistance for newly recognized refugees Homogenization of different education initiatives Multiple vulnerabilities based on past trauma, chronic diseases, types of family and sexual orientation to be recognised and assistance given. Extremely vulnerable cases to be given priority for treatment and accommodation which is delinked from relocation Safe/Legal pathways for refugees/migrants (registration in consulates, migration quotas) Preparedness plan to be put in place for increased refugee arrivals Global implications of European refugee policies recognised, 86% hosted in Global South

THANK YOU! Fotini Rantsiou Independent Humanitarian Adviser fotinirantsiou@yahoo.com fotinirantsiou.wordpress.com Twitter: @Fotini Rantsiou Skype: fotinirantsiou