Rebuilding lives, finding long-term solutions
UNHCR works hard to protect and assist refugees, but our ultimate goal is to find solutions that allow them to rebuild their lives.
Solutions enabling refugees to live their lives in dignity and peace can include voluntary repatriation, resettlement and integration.
In cases where repatriation is not an option, integrating in the country of asylum like Greece, and becoming part of the local community, can offer refugees hope away from home.
Local integration is a complex and gradual process with legal, economic, social and cultural dimensions. It imposes considerable demands on both the individual and the receiving society, calling for a whole-of-society approach. In Greece, UNHCR works with the Government, local authorities, the private sector, civil society and the refugees themselves to promote refugee integration.
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Refugees in Greece 74,000 Refugees 32,000 Αsylum- seekers
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Age/Gender 41% Men 31% Women 28% Children |
Top nationalities: Ukraine Afghanistan Syria State of Palestine Iraq |
| Source: UNHCR estimates/various sources as of end March 2024 | ||
Our work in the field of integration aims to create synergies, promote sustainable change and offer targeted support in areas that demand immediate results, in line with Greece’s National Integration Strategy and the objectives of a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Ministry of Migration and Asylum and UNHCR in October 2021.
Generating Livelihood opportunities
UNHCR has put into action strategic partnerships with the private sector, actors and NGOs specialized in livelihoods and employability to promote opportunities for the inclusion of refugees in the labour market. These include upskilling, vocational training and support to both refugees and employers.
Cities #WithRefugees: advancing local integration
It is estimated that up to 60 per cent of the world’s refugees now live in urban areas and cities. The role of towns, cities, and regions in creating inclusive communities and promoting hope has never been as important. UNHCR is working together with municipalities in Greece to maximize impact in this field.
Working together with refugee communities
Working closely with refugee communities, UNHCR identifies skills and experience, understands refugees’ intentions and needs, and helps create support networks amongst peers.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Refugees have skills, talents and dreams – assets to communities, that when embraced, yield a significant socio-economic return for all. Refugees are teachers, engineers, skilled trade workers, developers and more, but they often lack opportunities to flourish.
We all need to work together to find lasting solutions for people seeking safety. All parts of society have a role to play to share this responsibility and turn it into sustainable solidarity.
Here is what you can do to join our cause and help people forced to flee find hope away from home!
Lead by example! Create jobs for refugees.
Create education and training opportunities for refugees.
Support UNHCR’s work with a donation here.
“Including refugees in the communities where they have found safety is the most effective way to help them restart their lives and contribute to the countries hosting them.
In real terms, this means ensuring that refugees can apply for jobs, enroll in schools, and access services like housing and health care. It also means fostering a sense of belonging and welcome that gives hope to refugees uprooted from their homes.”
Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, June 2023