High Commissioner Filippo Grandi (M) is visiting a Greek language class for adult asylum-seekers in Ritsona Facility organized under the Stepping Stone integration programme of METAdrasi and UNHCR. From the left: UNHCR Regional Director for Europe, Philippe Leclerc, Secretary General for Reception of Asylum Seekers, Dimitris Iatridis, President of METAdrasi, Lora Pappa. © UNHCR/Achilleas Zavallis
Following a two-day visit to Athens, Greece, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi reaffirmed the commitment of UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, to continue working together with the Greek authorities, civil society organizations and refugee communities, in providing protection and solutions to people forced to flee.
During his visit, the High Commissioner signed a Host Country Agreement with the Minister of Foreign Affairs. “This marks a significant milestone, solidifying UNHCR’s long-standing partnership with Greece after 72 years of operations in the country”, Grandi said.
The High Commissioner also engaged in discussions with the Prime Minister, the Minister of Migration and Asylum and other central and municipal officials, focusing on ongoing developments and efforts to manage arrivals and advance refugee integration.
With Greece currently hosting some 75,000 refugees, the High Commissioner commended the progress achieved in promoting refugee integration, aligning with the country’s National Integration Strategy. This includes legislative improvements to foster integration, such as the reduction of the time asylum-seekers have to wait to have the right to work.
Since the establishment of a new civil Asylum Service in 2013, Greece has made significant strides at improving its asylum system, despite encountering challenges, particularly during periods of increased arrivals. While some challenges persist, primarily concerning access to asylum and registration of new asylum claims, Greece has managed to process a significant backlog of pending asylum applications and maintains a recognition rate consistent with the European average.
Urging the continuation of initiatives that support refugees to become self-reliant and actively contribute to their host communities, Grandi emphasized the importance of facilitating access to employment and affordable accommodation, addressing skills gaps, and streamlining administrative procedures to ensure timely provision of documentation.
The High Commissioner also visited Ritsona facility, the largest of the 26 state-run camps on the mainland, which currently accommodates some 2,100 asylum-seekers and refugees. Grandi noted the progress made in improving material conditions but also pointed to persisting challenges, particularly concerning the remote location which hampers accessibility of vital services, such as health care and psychological support, as well as access to employment opportunities and interaction with local communities – essential for integration.
Meeting the Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, High Commissioner Filippo Grandi reaffirmed the commitment of UNHCR to continue working together with the Greek authorities, civil society organizations and refugee communities, in providing protection and solutions to people forced to flee. ©UNHCR/Achilleas Zavallis
Minister of Foreign Affairs George Gerapetritis (R) and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi (L) are signing a Host Country Agreement that will facilitate UNHCR’s operations in the country and will strengthen the long-standing collaboration of the Agency with Greece. ©UNHCR/Achilleas Zavallis
Greek Minister of Migration and Asylum Dimitris Kairidis and UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi discussiedng on the progress made in fields such as integration and the need for continued efforts to address persisting challenges. ©UNHCR/Achilleas Zavallis
Representatives of refugee communities and members of UNHCR's Refugee Advisory Group are sharing with the High Commissioner their experiences and proposals on addressing integration-related challenges, such as the need for recognition of refugees' qualifications. ©UNHCR/Achilleas Zavallis
High Commissioner for Refugees discusses with the Mayors of Athens and Larissa and municipal officials from Thessaloniki and Heraklion cities, on the critical role of cities in welcoming and including refugees in local communities. ©UNHCR/Achilleas Zavallis
“I wish you every success in becoming chefs, entrepreneurs, or whatever your work may be, as well as in continuing your education, which is very important”, said Filippo Grandi to the young people and former unaccompanied children he met at Kypseli youth integration centre which is run by IRC in partnership with UNHCR. ©UNHCR/Achilleas Zavallis
Mamady Fofana (2nd from right), a community psychosocial worker offering peer support to other refugees within a mental health programme run by UNHCR and EPAPSY, is sharing his experiences from the project during the visit of the High Commissioner at EPAPSY’s Psychosocial Support Centre for Refugees in Athens. ©UNHCR/Achilleas Zavallis
Filippo Grandi is discussing with refugees supported by the Adama integration centre run in Athens by UNHCR and its partner, the Catholic Relief Services, in cooperation with Caritas Hellas. All refugees expressed their determination to become self-reliant and spoke about the difficulties they face, including administrative hurdles and the need for affordable housing. © Caritas Hellas/Matthaios Giannisopoulos
During his visit to Athens, High Commissioner Filippo Grandi met with representatives of international organizations, NGOs and independent bodies and exchanged views on the role and the invaluable contribution of civil society to the refugee response in Greece. ©UNHCR/Achilleas Zavallis
During his visit to Ritsona Facility, High Commissioner Filippo Grandi engaged with children attending the site’s kindergarten, along with their teachers. He listened attentively as they expressed their eagerness to learn Greek. © UNHCR/Achilleas Zavallis
The High Commissioner also met civil society organizations, acknowledging their invaluable contribution to the refugee response and reaffirming their indispensable role in providing essential services, which complement those of the government. “We need to recognize and safeguard the work these organizations do. A strong and active civil society is a fundamental part of democratic societies”, he noted.
On reports about pushbacks and human rights violations at Greece’s borders, Grandi noted the reduction of reported incidents on the islands, and emphasized the importance of transparent and conclusive investigations, so that any allegations involving human rights violations are thoroughly probed, with full accountability.
In addition, Grandi visited programmes run by UNHCR and its partners, aimed at facilitating refugees’ access to livelihood opportunities. “I was impressed by the excellent work done by our integration partners and humbled by the determination of refugees to rebuild their lives in Greece and contribute to the communities that have welcomed them”, he said.
In conversations with refugees who have secured employment in the country, Grandi observed their eagerness to become economically independent. He highlighted the mutually beneficial opportunity presented by refugees’ integration into the Greek workforce, stressing its positive impact for refugees, host communities, the economy, and society at large.
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