High Commissioner Guterres to visit Greece

Briefing notes

High Commissioner Guterres to visit Greece

This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson Melissa Fleming – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today's press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.

9 October 2015 Also available in:

High Commissioner António Guterres is scheduled to begin a two and a half-day mission to Greece tomorrow (Saturday) aimed at assessing the humanitarian response to the Mediterranean crisis and determining how UNHCR can further support those efforts.

On Saturday, Mr. Guterres will visit the island of Lesvos, the main entry point for most of the more than 428,000 people who have made the sea crossing from Turkey to Greece so far this year. He will get a first-hand look at the arrival areas, visit reception sites and meet with local authorities, NGOs, volunteer groups and others involved in the relief effort.

He will be in Athens on Sunday and Monday, when he is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and other members of his Cabinet. He will also visit accommodation sites in Athens and meet foreign diplomatic missions and NGOs.

The High Commissioner will be accompanied by Assistant High Commissioner for Operations George Okoth-Obbo, and the Director of UNHCR's Regional Bureau for Europe and Regional Refugee Coordinator, Vincent Cochetel.

Prior to his departure from Athens, Mr. Guterres will hold a press conference on Monday at 1230 p.m. at the Journalists' Union.

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