Vathy, Samos – UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency launched an invitation to bid, seeking small-scale hospitality owners on Samos to provide accommodation spaces for vulnerable asylum seekers. This takes place in the context of UNHCR’s Accommodation Project, which responds to the Government’s request to enhance reception capacities for asylum seekers.
UNHCR on Samos intends to temporarily host vulnerable asylum seekers registered with the Asylum Service, prior to their transfer to the mainland for continuation of asylum procedures. This will primarily include pregnant women or with babies under 6 months, individuals with a serious medical conditions, elderly or persons with disabilities.
The same project is operating on other islands as well as on mainland Greece. UNHCR is currently hosting some 15,102 individuals. Partners to the project include the Municipalities of Athens, Thessaloniki and Livadia as well as different NGOs.
Interested hospitality entities (hotels, hostels, bed and breakfasts and others), with licensed capacity by the Greek Tourist Organization or other respective authority, for at least 15 beds, should visit the following link: http://www.unhcr.gr/footer-toplinks/diagonismoi/artikel/126e138b258446b7639e2ed46167b576/-fb24a51964.html. A list of documentation required to submit a bid is available in Greek on this page.
The application can be submitted in English (preferred) or Greek languages. UNHCR is seeking immediate availability and starting period for a contract is 3 months. Deadline for the application is 19 February, 23:59h. Bids must be sent by email only to: GREATITB[at]unhcr.org .
Interested parties who would like to participate in a meeting to receive information about the application procedures, shall email Mr. Thomas Choutas, Snr Supply Assistant, choutas[at]unhcr.org. Any written questions can be emailed to: choutas[at]unhcr.org and to umunyana[at]unhcr.org, latest by 7 February 23:59h.
“UNHCR believes that the temporary accommodation scheme for vulnerable asylum seekers will showcase the continuation of the “Filoxenia”, that the Samian population has so generously exhibited over the last decades”, says Rose de Jong, Head of UNHCR Field Office on Samos. Already in November, UNHCR appealed to all responsible authorities to act swiftly to ensure adequate accommodation for refugees and migrants on the island. At the same time, UNHCR continues to support the Greek authorities in swiftly transferring to the mainland those asylum seekers who have completed the initial steps of their asylum procedure in close cooperation with the Hellenic Police, the Reception and Identification Service, the Asylum Service and KEPOM. Since 1st of October, 879 asylum-seekers have been transferred from Samos to the mainland with UNHCR assistance.
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