UNHCR, the Refugee Agency, recently completed processing the applications of more than 2,600 asylum seekers to be enrolled in the organization’s EU-funded cash assistance programme in Athens. UNHCR implementing partner, Catholic Relief Services (CRS), enrolled a total of 2,607 self-accommodated people during the six-week “surge exercise,” which ended in mid-October. […]
UNHCR
UNHCR, the Refugee Agency, recently completed processing the applications of more than 2,600 asylum seekers to be enrolled in the organization’s EU-funded cash assistance programme in Athens.
UNHCR implementing partner, Catholic Relief Services (CRS), enrolled a total of 2,607 self-accommodated people during the six-week “surge exercise,” which ended in mid-October. This has enabled the cash assistance helpline to reopen and CRS to continue processing new applications with a simpler and quicker procedure.
Meanwhile, UNHCR has been in touch with a small group that continues a sit-in at CRS’s Akominatou Street urban cash centre. The demonstrators have been blocking access to the centre since August and disrupting services to thousands of people served by the programme in protest against perceived delays in cash aid.
UNHCR and CRS staff have engaged in continuous dialogue with the protestors in an attempt to resolve the situation. The staff also provided information about the cash programme, including eligibility criteria and the application procedures.
Meanwhile, UNHCR has informed the group that the lease on the Akominatou Street premises has just ended and the organization is urging them to leave peacefully. UNHCR and CRS are looking for a new site to house the urban cash office and facilitate the long-term operation of the cash programme in the city.
CRS had moved from Akominatou to a temporary urban cash centre and conducted the surge exercise from these premises as well as resuming regular procedures for those in UNHCR’s ESTIA accommodation and cash programme.
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