HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MONTH - UNHCR

1

UNHC

RGR

EECE

FAC

TSHE

ET

GREECEFACTSHEET

1–30November2016

HIGHLIGHTSOFTHEMONTH

UNHCRPresenceWorkforce:511intotal356national(273)andinternational(83)staff1internationalstaffonmission(EmergencyDeployment)178staffunderAffiliatedWorkforcearrangements77nationalstaffdeployedinsupportofGreekauthorities

Offices:12intotal1RepresentationinAthens5Officesonthemainland(Thessaloniki,Polykastro,EvrosLarissa,Ioannina,Attica6Officesontheislands(Lesvos,Chios,Samos,Leros,Kos,Rhodes)

20,028PersonsthatbenefitedfromtheAccommodationforRelocationprojectsinceNovember2015

20,030AccommodationplaceswithservicesforrelocationcandidatesandvulnerableasylumseekersestablishedsinceJanuary2016inlinewithUNHCRpolicyonalternativestocamps.Cash/voucherassistancegrantedtoover7,000peopleinUNHCRAccommodationScheme

646AccommodationplacesforunaccompaniedchildrenestablishedbyUNHCRinGreece

8,918AsylumseekerstransportedbyUNHCRtotheRegionalAsylumOfficesforfullregistrationoftheirasylumclaim

180,000Winterreliefandhygieneitemsdistributed

250WaterandSanitationfacilities(prefabshowerandtoilets)providedtopartnersandmaintainedonmonthlybasis.

564Shelterupgradingsolutions(familytents,RefugeeHousingUnits,metal/foldingbeds)providedinmainlandinNovember

42Inter-agencycoordinationsectoralworkinggroupsestablishedandchaired/co-chairedbyUNHCRatcountryandfieldlevel

FundingUSD300,4millionrequested

USD184,5millionreceived

Received61%

Gap39%

TechnicalUnit9ShelterandSitePlanningstaff(4international,5national)9SiteManagementsupport(4international,5national)

5WASHstaff(2international3national)2Healthstaff(1international,1national)

Deadandmissing272dead-152missing(2015)146dead-51missing(17Nov.2016)(Source:HellenicCoastGuard,Greekterritorialwaters)

UNHCRFactsheet–GREECE–1-30November2016

UnitedNationsHighCommissionerforRefugees(UNHCR)–www.unhcr.org

2

OPERATIONALCONTEXTDuringNovember,winterpreparationswereprogressingrapidlyontheislandsandmainlandGreece.IncoordinationwiththeAuthorities,fromatotalof54sitesinthemainland(11notactive),UNHCRproceededtoupgradingandmaintenanceoftheinfrastructurein15amongthem,expandingitssupportinseveralothersbeyondthatnumber.AsofendNovember,UNHCRinstalled551prefabricatedunitsateightopenaccommodationsites,providingaroofto2,500people.Ongoingplanswillallowtoensurethat,bytheendoftheyear,about4,000PoCsshallbeprovidedwithupto1,000prefabunits.UNHCRisfocusingitswinterizationeffortsonfourpillars/priorities:

1) Replacement of tents with prefabricated housing units. The process wascompletedat theopenaccommodationsites inAlexandria (80),NeaKavala (174),Filippiada (100) and Katsikas (100), while it is ongoing at Diavata, Lagadikia andSchisto.InSchisto100outof151prefabunitshavealreadybeeninstalled.HousingunitswillalsobeinstalledinKaraTepeonLesvos.2) Empty sites not suitable for winter. UNHCR agreed to provide extra sheltersupport through the provision of up to 120 prefabricated units in Diavata andproceed to evacuate Kipsilohori (120) and Petra Olympou sites, moving 1,300refugeestoaccommodationapartmentsorhotels,aswellastransferringremainingresidentsfromTsepelovo(147)andChersosites.Allbeneficiarieslivinginhotelsandapartmentsareprovidedwithcashassistancetocovertheirbasicneeds.3)Winterization of tents. To date, 352winterization kits have been sharedwithpartnersto improveconditions inthesiteswhereUNHCRisnotactive intermsofinfrastructuresupportandimprovement.InSoftex,IFRCcompletedthewinterizationof45tents,whichwereprovidedbyUNHCR,byinstallingwoodenflooringandtent

winterkits.4)Upgradeofelectricity/infrastructure.Existingairconditionersforheatinghavebeenmaintainedandnewoneswereinstalledatthe open accommodation sites in Rafina, Andravida and Elefsina.Whenpossible,UNHCR is also supporting the improvement ofexistinginfrastructureinthesites.HeatedcommunalareashavebeenestablishedinTrikalaandcommunalkitchensareplannedforElefsinaandThermopiles.Between21and30November2016,UNHCRcompletedtheevacuationofPetraOlympousite,incoordinationwiththeMinistryofMigrationPolicy, thePolice, theArmy,andNGOsAdventistDevelopmentandReliefAgency (ADRA)andGaldakaokoBoluntarioenGizarteElkartea(GBGE).Atotalof1,127individualsweretransferredfromthesite,situatedinaremoteandmountainouslocation,andtakentoapartmentsandhotelsunderUNHCRaccommodationschemeinChalkidona,Volvi,KateriniandAthens.OnSamos,UNHCR/SamaritanPursecontinuedtheirsearchforwaystofurtherwinterizethecurrentsheltersattheReceptionandIdentificationCenter (RIC) inVathy, lookingatdifferent insulationandexternalheatingoptions,butalso taking intoaccount theflammabletentsandforestedareatheheaterswillbeplacedin.Inordertomitigatetheriskoffire,UNHCRdevelopedfirehazardandsafetywarningmessagesinmultiplelanguagesinprintandaudiofordistributionviaSMS.Besides,UNHCRhasestablished646accommodationplacesforunaccompaniedandseparatedchildren(UASC),including418onthemainlandand228ontheislands.ThismakesUNHCRthebiggestproviderofaccommodationforUASCinGreece.Asof30November,thetotalnumberofsuchplacesisabout1,200.

Arrivalsbynationalitypermonthduring2016.Source:HellenicPolice/HellenicCoastGuard;partialdata

On4Novemberthereshuffleofthegovernmentwasofficiallyannounced.IannisMouzalasassumedtheleadershipofanautonomousMinistryofMigrationPolicy.

Nationalities Jan-16 Feb-16 Mar-16 Apr-16 May-16 Jun-16 Jul-16 Aug-16 Sep-16 Oct-16 Nov-16SyrianArabRepublic 30,309 29,412 14,399 1,268 525 459 510 1,112 866 1,021 553Afghanistan 18,846 13,943 6,133 580 270 215 201 324 479 410 232Pakistan 2,243 1,539 1,880 637 231 233 345 737 513 105 58Iraq 11,964 9,134 2,515 381 162 183 104 327 497 541 201Iran 2,193 1,593 674 73 64 51 73 123 155 216 69Other 1,860 1,445 1,370 711 469 413 687 824 570 677 702

Total 67,415 57,066 26,971 3,650 1,721 1,554 1,920 3,447 3,080 2,970 1,815

SnowcoveredPetraOlympousite,justafterthelastgroupof asylum-seekers was transferred by UNHCR to moresuitable accommodation in apartments and hotels ©UNHCR/November2016



3

On14November,apressconferenceorganizedbyMinisterMouzalas toaddressChiosmediawasattendedbyUNHCRAssistantRepresentative (Operations). The latterpresenteda three-point interventionplan to fundanalternative accommodation site forvulnerableasylum-seekers,facilitationinlocatingandtransferringthePoCstothemainlandandestablishingahostingsiteinHadawouldthisbeapprovedbytheMunicipalCouncil.MinisterMouzalasstatedthatnothingwillbeimposedonthelocalpopulationandmoreasylumexpertswillbedeployedtotheislands.Also,manyofNorthernGreecesitesshallclose,whileimprovinginfrastructureisneeded.Intheislands,UNHCRwillbuildthecapacityof the local authorities forWASH and Shelterwhile continuing to assist and guide the RICs in dealingwith protection issues, inparticularthereferralofthevulnerablecasesandtheprovisionofadequateinformationaccordingtointernationalstandards.

On18November,ateamofFCBarcelonaveteransspentadaywiththerefugeesinIoannina,WesternGreeceinaneventofsolidarityorganizedwithUNHCRandlocalfootballclubPASIoannina.TheteamvisitedtheopenaccommodationsiteinKatsikas,metrefugeefamiliesandconductedworkshopsformorethan500childrenandadults.Afriendlymatchwasheldbetweenthetwoteams.

On23and25November,adelegationfromtheEuropeanCommission–MigrationandHomeAffairsDepartmentDGHOMEvisitedAthensandThessalonikiUNHCRoffices.InAthens,theyattendedthemonthlypartnercoordinationmeetingfollowedbyavisittoabeneficiaryaccommodatedinanapartment.InThessaloniki,thedelegationvisitedLagadikiarelocation/accommodationsiteandanapartmentbuilding,hostingrelocationcandidatesandothervulnerableasylum-seekersinSindos.

On29November,some20humanrightsgroupsandorganizationsissuedaletterhighlightingtheneedtofollowoperatingproceduresandsecurityregulationsattheopenaccommodationsite.Alsoon29November,theCouncilofStatehelditspublichearingconcerningtherecourseforannulmentagainstthefirstdecisionoftheIndependentAppealsCommitteesdeclaringinadmissibleaSyriannationalatthesecondinstance.ThedecisionoftheCommitteeinfavourofinadmissibilitywastakenbymajorityvote.Duringthehearing,thecompliance of the composition of the Appeals Committees with the Greek Constitutionwas challenged by the applicants. ThedecisionswillbemadeinDecember.On30November,Greekauthoritiespickedupabout70migrants, includingchildren, ina snowy forestnear theNortherncityofThessaloniki.ThemembersofthegroupwhoclaimedtobeSyrians,reportedtohavecrossedtheGreek-Turkishlandborderhiddeninatruck.Thetruckdriverleftthemintheforestandtheyspentthenightthereinthesnow.Thisseemstosuggestthatthesmugglerspreferthelandroutes,consideringthatlandarrivalsarenottreatedintheframeworkoftheEU-TURStatement.HowevertheGRE-TURBilateralAgreementstillappliestolandarrivals.

OntheAegeanIslandsarrivalscontinuedtodecreasesinceAugust,with1,991personsinNovember.

BreakdownofMen,WomenandChildrenarrivedbymonth(January–November2016).Thesumofsharesmaydifferfrom100%becauseofroundingeffects.Source:HellenicPolice;partialdata.

Tensionscontinuedintheislands.OnChios,on9November,tensionsreachedconcerningheightsinandaroundSoudasiteontheGreekislandofChiosduringtheweek.Ontheeveningof16November,agroupofmaleresidentsofthesiteburglarizedanearbystoreandsetofffireworksinthestreets,burningdowntentsofsome100residentsthereandcausingfurtherunrestandclashes.Althoughriotpoliceandthefirebrigadeimmediatelyarrivedonscene,theywerenotabletoimmediatelyinterveneamidstthechaos.On17November,thesitewasattackedbylocalresidents,reportedlyfromrightwingfactions,destroying3tentsandpartiallyburning

42%

50%

49%

54%

60%

63%

53%

54%

47%

38%

38%

43%

21%

20%

21%

18%

17%

17%

20%

17%

18%

22%

22%

21%

38%

29%

30%

28%

23%

21%

27%

29%

34%

40%

40%

36%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Total Jan-Nov 2016

Nov-16

Oct-16

Sep-16

Aug-16

Jul-16

Jun-16

May-16

Apr-16

Mar-16

Feb-16

Jan-16

Men Women Children



4

arubhall.Followingtheevents,approximately70individuals,mostlyfamilieschosetosleepoutsidethecampinanearbycarparkfor4nights,untilUNHCRwasabletofindalternativeaccommodationinhotelsandapartments.Atotalof10damagedshelterswerereplacedbyUNHCRwinterizedtents.UNHCRhasmetwiththepoliceandlocalauthoritiestoprovidetrainingtostaffinthefieldonreporting crisis violence.UNHCR issuedapress releaseexpressing itsdeepconcern regarding the recent incidentsat Souda,andoutlinedservicesprovidedforthoseaffected.

OnSamos,theheavyrainfallof9Novemberaffected1,000peoplesleepinginsmalltents.

OnLesvos,apropanegasexplosionkilledtwoPoCs(IraqiandKurdish)attheMoria RIC on 25 November. UNHCR intervened to transfer 200 people,includingalltheunaccompaniedminorsfromthesite,toapartmentsmanagedbyitsNGOpartnerIliaktidaandinstalled25tentstoreplacetheburnedshelter.TheincidenttriggeredreactionsfromtheGreekPrimeminister,AlexisTsiprasand theMinister ofMigration Policy IoannisMouzalas who expressed theircondolencestothefamily.

OrganizationprovidinghumanitarianassistanceonChios islandissueda jointstatement on 15-16 November, referring to the steady deterioration ofconditionswithinthecampsandrequestingChiosauthoritiestoguaranteethephysicalsafetyofallrefugees,aidworkersandjournalistsontheisland.

On23NovemberUNHCRRepresentativeandAssistantRepresentativegavetwoseparateinterviewstoAlphaNewsandSkaiTVcallingontheresponsibilityoftheEUsupporttoGreeceintherelocationproceduresandonthegovernmentand authorities to create alternative sites and accommodation to ease thetensionontheislands.

On17November,Samaritan’sPursefinalizedthedistributionofwinteritemsinMoria,KaraTepeandPIKPAonLesvos.Extrastocksforfuturearrivalshavebeeninstalled.InKaraTepe,thegroundworksfortheinstallationof theprefabunitshave started.OnKos, ameeting regarding thewinterizationof the tentsnear theRIC (ReceptionIdentificationCentre)tookplace.TheHellenicArmyconfirmedthatthematerialsfortheflooringhasbeenordered.

On21November,theUNHCRRepresentativeintervenedinthemeeting“WelcomingCitiesforRefugees:PromotingInclusionandProtectingRights”organizedby theMariannaV.VardinoyannisFoundation,UNESCOandtheEuropeanCoalitionofCitiesagainstracism.ThemeetingwasopenedbytheDirectorGeneralofUNESCO,thePresidentoftheHellenicRepublicandthePresidentoftheCentralUnionofMunicipalitiesofGreece.

Tomarkthe“16daysofactivismagainstgenderbasedviolence”globalcampaign,UNHCRinGreeceparticipatedininitiativesaroundthe country in cooperationwith communities, organizations and authorities highlighting that Sexual andGender-based Violence(SGBV)isafundamentalviolationofhumanrightstowhichweshouldalloppose.Awarenessraisingevents,groupdiscussionsandparticipatory workshops with the refugee communities aimed to put in practice our shared responsibility to promote healthyrelationshipsathome,inschoolsandinthecommunity.InThessaloniki,UNHCR,togetherwiththelocalMunicipalityandtheGeneralSecretariatforGenderEquality,promotedawarenessfortheeradicationofviolenceagainstwomenbylightingitssymbol,theWhiteTower,orangeuntilmidnighton25November,amongotherinitiatives.

INTER-AGENCYCOORDINATION¡ A2017RegionalRefugeeandMigrantResponsePlan (RRMRP) closingmeetingwasheldon25November,whichwaswell

attendedwithgooddiscussiononthecrossoverbetweensectorsofoutputsandindicators;particularlybetweeneducation,protection and child protection. The 2017 RRMRP will be structured around development process, ongoing winterizationactivities,coordinationaroundnationalCashBasedInterventionsroll-outetc.

¡ AninteragencymeetingwascalledbytheEuropeanCommission–HumanitarianAidtodiscussplanstopossiblephaseoutfromtheprovisionofcateredhotmealbytheArmyasof theendof2016andensurethatallsiteshavethecapacitytobeself-sufficientforfoodinJanuary.ECHO’spositionwasthatitshouldbereviewedatasitebysitelevelandaninter-agencyplandevelopedincludingadvocacymessaging.

On 23 November an inauguration ceremony took place inKoutsohero, where 203 PoCs were moved from Cherso andaccommodated inprefabhouses.The transferwasexecutedbyMoMPaspartofevacuatingandclosingthesite.UNHCRLarisaprovidedfullsupportfortheregistrationandforpreparationofthesiteforPoCs.©UNHCR/ZainHakim



5

MAINLANDRESPONSEProtection

¡ Provision of information. UNHCR continued to conduct group andindividualinformationsessionsonasyluminGreece,familyreunificationandrelocation,aswellasontheproceduresforthefulllodgingofasylumclaimsfollowingthepre-registrationexercise,withtheGreekAsylumServiceandEASO.

¡ On22NovembertheMoMPissuedaJointMinisterialDecisionmakingreference to the “General Regulation of Operation of accommodationfacilitiesoperatingunderRIS”.Theregulationcanbethebasis forUNHCRadvocacyeffortstowardsestablishingessentialserviceinthesites.

Childprotection.TheMinistryofMigrationPolicy(MoMP)andtheMinistryofLabour(MoL)haveendorsedthe“MinimumStandardsforsafeworkingspacesforunaccompaniedchildren(UAC)inopensites”thatweredraftedbytheChildProtectionsub-WorkingGroup(CPSWG).Thisincludescriteria

forsiteselection, infrastructure,procedureandplacementoftheUAC,servicesandstaff.ThemostvulnerableUACshouldbeprioritizedforplacementinsheltersandsafezones,dependingontheirvulnerabilityandneeds,anditwasagreedwiththeMoMPandMoLthatarapidBIA(Best InterestAssessment)shouldbeusedasaperquisiteforreferringUACforaccommodationandsupportinthesafezones.Additionally,theCPSWGisalsoadvocatingfordistributionofcashforover14yearsold,inaccordancetotheGreeklaw.

¡ BlueDots-ChildandFamilySupportHubs.Intotal,11BlueDotsareoperatinginGreece.TheseChildandFamilySupportHubsofferinformationandkeyservicessuchasrestoringfamilylinks,childfriendlyspaces,dedicatedmotherandbaby/toddlerspaces,multidisciplinary teamswith trainedNGOprofessionals able to identify and support children, especiallyUASC, counsellingonnutrition,aswellasbasiclegalcounselling.Besides,theyofferreferralservicesforcasesofviolenceorhealthconditionsandothercircumstances,requiringspecializedsupport.Dependingonassessedneeds,specificnonfooditemsmaybeavailableforwomenandchildren,includingchildrenwithdisabilities.InNorthernGreece,UNHCRandpartnershaveestablished“BlueDots”ChildandFamilySupportHubsinfivesites,namelyLagadikia,Diavata,NeaKavala,Alexandria.Thehubsprovidesafeareasforchildrenandtheirfamilies,motherandbabyspaces,playgrounds,protection,counsellingandotheressentialservices,allineasilyidentifiablelocations.InLagadikia,UNHCR’spartnerArsissupportsthechildfriendlyspace,whileitspartnersMédecinsduMonde(MdM)andDanishRefugeeCouncil(DRC)areresponsibleforthemotherandbabyarea.InDiavata,thechildfriendlyspaceisimplementedbyUNHCRthroughtheNGOSOSVillage.InAlexandria,InternationalRescueCommittee(IRC)isresponsibleforsafezonesincludingatentforwoman’sactivities.Finally,inNeaKavala,UNHCR’spartnerSavetheChildrensupportsthechildfriendlyspaces.UNHCR’spartnerSolidarityNowprovidesservicestotheasylum-seekerslivinginurbansetting.ThroughtheBlueDotconcept,humanitarianpartnersaimatsupportingindividualsandfamilieswithspecialneeds,especiallythemanyunaccompaniedorseparatedchildren(UASCs)atriskofdiseases,trauma,violence,exploitationandtrafficking.Asaninterimmeasureandtoensureproximitywiththeircommunity of origin at the sites, three safe spaces for UASCs, with the capacity of 90 children, are operational in Diavata,AlexandriaandLagadikia,aspartoftheBlueDotapproach.TheuseofSOPsneedstobeformalized.Asalonger-termsolution,insupportoftheGreekauthorities’effortstoexpandthereceptioncapacityforUASCs inthecountryandwiththeaimtoavoiddetention,UNHCRthroughitspartnersArsisandPraksisprovidesinNorthernGreece160placesforunaccompaniedchildreninfivetransitorlonger-termshelters,currentlyaccommodatingover120boysandgirlsbetweenfiveand18yearsold.

¡ InAttica,EllinikoI,EllinikoIIIandSchistoBlueDotscontinuetobeoperational.OntheislandsBlueDotHubsexistinKaraTepe,LesvosandinKos.

¡ Security.Overall,themonthwasmarkedbyseveralsecurityincidentsandprotestsbyasylum-seekerslivingatthesites,primarilyrelatedtothecoldweather,thedemandsbyfullyregisteredasylumseekerstobetransferredtoalternativeaccommodationandthelengthinessoftheasylumprocedures.

¡ Supporttoaccommodationcapacityforasylumseekers.InsupportoftheGreekauthorities’effortstoexpandreceptioncapacityforasylumseekers,UNHCR’saccommodationprojectfundedbytheEuropeanUnionreached20,030places,exceedingthe20,000targetofUNHCRanditspartnersbytheendof2016.Over20,028personsbenefittedfromtheprojectsofar, nearly 6,300 have left Greece for relocation and some 3,000 have been accepted for relocation and are awaiting travelauthorizationtootherEuropeancountries.

Thefirstfamilies(15individuals)arrivedtotheMunicipalityofLivadiafromtheopenaccommodationsiteinCherso,aspartoftheAccommodationforRelocationproject,fundedbytheEU.©UNHCR/MahaKashoor



6

Health

¡ InallsitesinGreece,afirstroundofvaccinationwithMeasles,MumpsandRubellahasalreadybeendone.UrbanareashavebeenvaccinatedincollaborationwiththeMinistryofHealth.

¡ Someofthesiteshadafirstroundofvaccinations(Hexavalent,PVC,MMR)withonevaccineadministeredoutofthethreeroundsplanned.MSFistakingtheleadinthiscampaign.VaccinationforchildrentookplaceinNovember4–5inLeros(RICandPikpa).

Education¡ BytheendofNovember2016,about1,000refugeechildrenhostedinopenaccommodationsitesstartedattendingschool(primaryandsecondaryeducation),inparticulartheafternoonclassesthataregraduallyestablishedinthecountry.Inparallel,459childrenhostedinUNHCRaccommodationattendschool–297childrenprimaryeducation(14,34%ofhostedchildren,6-12yearsold)and162secondaryeducation(21,72%ofhostedchildren,13-15yearsold).

¡ InameetingwithrepresentativesoftheMoMP,UNHCR,UNICEFandSCI,theGeneralSecretaryoftheMinistryofEducationannounceditscommitmenttoopenasmanyschoolsaspossibleforrefugeechildrenbyChristmas.NextstepfortheMoEin2017isthelaunchofaplanforvocationaltrainingandtechnicaleducationfocusingonadolescentsandyouth.¡ November 2016, a process of accreditation by Institute of Educational

Policy/MoEhasbeencompletedformostoftheorganizationsthatprovidenonformaleducationtorefugeechildrenintheopenaccommodationsites.However,organizationsalsoneedtoberegisteredintheMoMP’snewelectronicplatformonceitopens,aprocedurecompulsoryforallhumanitarianactors(NGOsandIOs)workingonrefugeeissuesinGreece.InterimsolutionsarecurrentlydiscussedwithMoMPfornotimpedingaccessoftheorganizationstothesitesandensuringprovisionofnon-formaleducationalactivities.

¡ On3November,UNHCRparticipatedinameetingwiththeMoEinrelationwiththeassessmentofrefugees'qualifications;apilotprojectistotakeplaceinGreecein2017basedontheproposalforaEuropeanQualificationsPassportforRefugees,developedbyNOKUT (theNorwegian ENIC/NARIC) andUKNARIC (theUnited KingdomENIC/NARIC). Representatives of the Council ofEuropewerealsopresentinthemeeting.

ShelterandCoreReliefItems¡ Shelter.PleaseseeOperationalContext,Page2.

CashBasedIntervention(CBI)

¡ 18,656PoCsarecurrentlybeingprovidedwithorhavepreviouslyreceivedcashassistance indifferent locations inGreece,aswell asapproximately7,800PoCslivinginhotelsorapartmentsreceivingacombinationofcashandvouchersthroughtheUNHCRaccommodationscheme.

¡ UNHCR finalized the selection of a Financial Service Provider to deliverprepaidcashcardsandcompatiblemanagementsystemstoallowfortheimplementationofUNHCRcashcards,asof1January2017.TheCBIteamhas finalizedan interimstrategythroughpartnercardsystems.UNHCR isplanningtoprogressivelyroll-outandcompletethetransitiontoafulluseof UNHCR cards by April 2017 pending the European Commission –HumanitarianAid fundingdecision. In theNorth, tocoordinateandharmonize timing,messagesandapproachamong thedifferentcashactors,severaloperationalcashworkinggroupsmeetingswereheldinNovember,includingwiththeMinistryofMigrationPolicy,theurbancashactorsandUNHCRaccommodationpartners,SiteManagementSupport(SMS)agenciesandCommunicationwithCommunities(CwC)workinggroupmembers.

¡ UNHCRpresentedtheCBIroll-outandscale-upplanstothevisitingECHOGlobalFoodSecurityandCashAdvisor,withemphasisonoperationalreadiness/capacity,urbanizationstrategyandfeaturesofcountry-widedatamanagement/sharingandsingle-platformcardpaymentsystems.

Recreational/sportactivitiesforTrikalasitechildrenjointlywith local children, organized by UNHCR and ThessalyUniversity.©UNHCR/M.Kashoor

41 asylum-seeking children in Thermopiles site started toattend a public school in Moschochori. UNHCR bags weredistributedandchildrenwillbecommutedbybus.©UNHCR/MahaKashoor



7

CommunityEmpowermentandSelf-Reliance

¡ The Communication with Communities Working Group (CWCWG) and the Asylum Service distributed translations of acomprehensiveQ&A regarding the registration and related procedures: applying for the relocation scheme and for familyreunification.TheQ&AisbasedonconcernsandquestionsthathavebeencollectedfromUNHCRlocations,andfromCWCpartners includingIRC,RefuComm,InternewsandIFRC.Thedocumentisavailable inGreek,English,Farsi,Arabic,Kurmanji,SoraniandUrduontheAsylumServicewebsite(http://asylo.gov.gr/en/).

¡ AWhatsAppgroupwasestablishedforCWCWGmembers,togetrapidaccesstoclarificationsoncommonquestionsaboutregistration,asylum,relocationandfamilyreunification,andrelatedmatterssuchaslostordamageddocumentation,ongoingregistrationsbySkype,fingerprinting,accommodationoptionsandaccesstothelabormarket.ThegroupiswidelyusedbyCWCpartners,toobtaininformationandquicklyupdatePOCsoncasebycasemattersandalsotoupdatekeyinformationonthewebsitesandFacebookgroupsofCWCpartners,includingRefugeeInfo.org,newsthatmoves.organdvirtualvolunteer.org.

¡ Servicemapping.AcolorbrochuredescribingaccesstofreeservicesforrefugeesandmigrantswasproducedbytheSalvationArmyanddisseminatedtoagenciesworkinginAttica.ItwasalsodeliveredtoLesvosfordistributiontoeachoftheislandstoreachthepeoplewhoaretransferredtothemainland.

Logistics

¡ UNHCR provided training to some 95 municipality staff about transfer services.RegistrationandpreparationforthearrivaltoKoutsoherowasalsosupported.

¡ UNHCR continues to support the process of full registration of asylum seekersconducted by the Asylum Service through the provision of country-widetransportationfromsitestotheRegionalAsylumOfficesandback.Asof30November,UNHCR provided transportation to over 8,918 asylum seekers from various sitesacrossmainlandGreeceincluding2,615inAtticaand6,303fromNorthernGreecetotheRegionalAsylumOfficesinAthens,AlexandroupoliandThessaloniki.Differentformsoftransporthavebeenused(UNHCRvehicles,provisionofbus/trainticketsandtaxis),dependingonthedistance,accessibilitytopublictransportation,andthespecificneedsoftheasylumseekers.TransportationcontinuestobeprovidedbyUNHCRalsotorelocationcandidates.

ISLANDSRESPONSEProtection

¡ SupporttonewarrivalsUNHCRcontinuestoidentifyandassistnewarrivalswithspecificneeds.Corereliefitemsaredistributedandinformationonlegalproceduresisprovided.UNHCRispresentontheislandsattheRICtocoverseveralfunctionssuchasprovisionofinformationonrightsandobligations,asylumprocedures;identificationandreferralofvulnerableindividuals;supporttoalternativeaccommodationforvulnerableindividualsandotherprotectionservices.Also,UNHCRcontinuestoimplementatransportservicetoensureameanoftransportbetweentheRICandthetownforextremelyvulnerablerefugeesandasylumseekers.OnLesvos,UNHCRhasbeenworkingonstrengtheningitsinterventions,includingchildprotection,sexualandgenderbasedviolencepreventionandresponse,legalcounselling,aswellasamelioratinglivingconditions.

¡ AParticipatoryassessmentinKosengaging400variousprofilesrevealedthattheprioritiestobehandledarethesafetyandsecurityofthepopulationinRIC.Atthesamelevel,thequalityandthetimingoftheprocessingofasylumapplicationswasakeychallenge.

¡ OnKos,achildfriendlyspaceisrunbyUNHCR’spartnerSavetheChildren(SCI)atArgosaccommodationfacility.ThroughoutNovembermorethan37childrenhavepassedbythechildfriendlyspace(CFS),wheretheywereoccupiedinacreativewaybytherecreationalactivitiesprovidedbySavetheChildren.

¡ TheprovisionoftheaforementionedactivitieswasalsoextendedtothechildrenthatareresidingattheRICthroughcarryingoutrecreationalactivitiesduringmorninghours.UNHCR-PraksisandUNHCR-SavetheChildrentransitfacilitiesprovidea

A UNHCR training to Larissa municipality newlyrecruited staff was attended by the Mayor andPrefecture officers, the MoE representative and 95municipalitystaff.©UNHCR/ZainHakim

UNHCR and partners installed tents for 400people whose accommodation was destroyedafteragascanisterexplosioninMoriaon24/11©UNHCR/E.Marda



8

protectiveandchild-friendlyenvironmenttounaccompaniedchildren(UASC)arrivingtoKos.TopnationalitiesoftheUACsarePakistanis,Afghans,SyriansandBangladeshi,theagesofwhomvaryfrom12to17yearsold.OnLesvos,analternativesheltermanagedbyUNHCR’spartnerIliaktidaopened,currentlyhosting63vulnerablefamilymembersandunaccompaniedchildren.

¡ OnLeros,UNHCRconducted525individualand15groupinformationsessionsforPoCsonasylumandRISprocedures;vulnerabilityissues;familyreunificationandaccesstoavailableservices.

¡ Winterizationontheislands.OnLesvos,UNHCRidentifiedareasinMoriawheretoinstallprefab housing units and agreed on the works to undertake. UNHCR committed toaccommodate vulnerable families inapartments rented by UNHCR and at aCARITAS rented hotel. In Kara Tepe, theMayor agreed to allow preparatoryinfrastructureworksforthereplacementofRefugeeHousingUnitswith prefab houses.On Chios, discussions are ongoing for theestablishment of a new site in Hada. OnSamos, 90% of the small tents are nowcoveredwithtarps.UNHCRandSamaritan’sPursestartedprovidingpalletstothoseinthesmalltents,tomitigatefloodingrisks.

¡ The Vathy RIC on Samos remainsovercrowdedwith1,700personsaccommodatedinafacilitywithacapacityof606beds,while1,300personsareaccommodatedinover365popuptentsand29large10-personstents.Duetotheheavyrainson10/11thelivingconditionsdeteriorated,withthemajorityoftentswithoutflooringflooded,destroyedorabandoned.OnLesvos,theMoriaRICisalsobeyondcapacity,withcontinuesdelaysinregistrationandasylumprocedures.PolicehaverelocatedalltentsthatwerenearthedetentionfacilityinsideMoria(300PoCs).

¡ OnLesvos, themodalityof announcing thosewhohave interviews for finalizing registrationhas changed fromposting tobillboardstomegaphonesannouncements,duetothelargenumberofPoCstobeinvited.Howeveraverylownumberofpeoplehaveactuallyshownup.UNHCRinLesvosiscooperatingwiththeRAOinordertotracepeopleandinformthemaccordingly.In

Chios, Kos and Samos, the usual modality (posting the names) is beingemployed.RAOLesvoscontinuedregisteringasylumclaimsofPoCsdetainedin the pre-removal section ofMoria. On Samos, a new asylum applicationprocedure began in Vathy RIC. The authority responsible for the pre-registration of claims depends on the administrative status of the asylum-seekers,whilstsolemndeclarationisabolishedatallstages.Thereisanoverallverylowresponsefromthosewhodidnotshowup,thereforeitispresumedthatmostmighthavemovedtothemainland.

¡ OnChios,thesheltersinSoudacampthatweredamaged(havebeenreplaced or repaired, and the destroyed rub hall was replaced by sevenwinterizedtents.

¡ RestrictionoftravelonLesvos.Startingfrom23November,PoCswithpolicenoteswillnolongerbeabletotraveltothemainlandunlesstheyhavesoughtasylumandpossessanasylumseeker’scardfromtheRegionalAsylumOffice.UNHCRiscoordinatingwiththelocalauthoritiestostreamlinetheprocess.

¡ Childprotection.Anestimated212unaccompanied childrenare currently residing in SamosRIC, 26of themwithpendingdecisionsfromthepublicprosecutorregardingtheircustody.

¡ Ameetingwas held at the premises of EKKA (National Centre for Social Solidarity) following an initiative of theDeputyOmbudsmanforchildren’srights.UNHCRwasbeeninvitedtogetherwithothernationalandinternationalNGOsforthepurposeofcreating‘NetworkingfortheRightofChildrenontheMove’,thatwouldprovidea)proceduralsafeguardsandaccesstobasicgoodsandservicesb)monitoringviolationofchildren’srightsbypublicservicesaswellasprivateindividualsorlegalentities.

Education

¡ OnlinelicenseswillbeprovidedbyUNHCRLesvosandtheUniversityoftheAegeanforlanguageclasses(12differentEuropeanlanguages),certifiedbytheEuropeanCommissionfor1,000PoCsover15yearsold.Thisisbasedonanonlineapplicationthat

UNHCRinfoboardandfeedbackboxatthe RIC of Kos (© UNHCR/D.Champesis)

LaunchingofawarenessraisingactivitiesonSGBVattheRICofKos.Participants:UNHCR,RIS,PoliceandPoCs,residentsoftheRIC(©UNHCR/D.Champesis)

TheImamofKosgivingaspeechtotheresidentsoftheKosRICaboutpeaceinthecontextof16daysofactivism(©UNHCR/E.Jada)



9

thePoCscanaccessthroughtheirpersonaldevices.ShouldthePoCsneedhelp,theUniversitywillsetupgroupsessionstwiceaweekattheircampus.

¡ On21November,theLerosEducationSpace("LEDU")initiatedoperationsandatriallessonwasconducted.Asof30November,theeducationspaceoperatesinfullcapacity.143studentsfromSyria,Iraq,Afghanistan,Eritreahavebeenenrolledintheclasses.ThecoursestaughtareGreek,English,artsandmathematics.OnWednesdays,coursesofthenativelanguagesofthestudentswillalsobeprovided.

¡ OnLeros,EnglishlanguagecoursesbeganinthemiddleofNovemberfor30ChildrenPoCsfromtheRIC.TheUNHCRteamonLerosidentifiedthegapsintheeducationforchildrenresidingintheRICandtooktheinitiativeforatwo-monthlanguagecoursecontract.ChildrenandYouthspaceinLerosEducationSpacebeganclasstrialsatlateNovember.ThefacilitywillbefullyoperationalearlyinDecember.

¡ Abouttheeducationofchildrenontheislands,theMinistryofEducation(MoE)informedUNHCRthat5EducationCoordinatorshavebeenappointedinNorthernAegeansotoassessneedsandorganizeeducationalactivities.

¡ UNHCRLesvosactivelysupportstheOnlineLinguisticSupportforRefugees(12differentEuropeanlanguagescoordinatedbyIKY/Erasmus+,actingincoordinationwithAegeanUniversity;itisexpectedthatabout1,000PoCswillhaveaccesstotheonlineapplicationthroughtheirpersonaldevices.ShouldPoCsneedhelp,theUniversitywillsetupgroupsessionstwiceaweekattheiraccommodationsite.

Health

¡ OnKos, Accion, a Spanish NGOwith collaborationwithWAHA provided free dental service through roving dentists to allrefugees.TheRISprovidedthespaceneededwithintheRIC.

¡ OnLeros,UNHCR’spartnerWAHA,providedPrimaryHealthServices toPoCs, at thePIKPAopen facility,where theWAHAMedicalUnitisstationed;PoCsfromallhostfacilitiesarebeingprovidedwithprimarymedicalassistance.UNHCRrentedtwomini-vansduringNovember,whichprovidedtransportationto677PoCsformedicalpurposesandaccesstoLerosMunicipalHospitalandothermedicalfacilitiesintheisland.

¡ VaccinationforchildrenonLerostookplaceon4-5NovemberattheRICandinPikpabyPraksis.MMR(Measles,MumpsandRubella),PCV(Pneumococcusvaccine)andHexavalentwereused.

FoodsecurityandNutrition

¡ WithintheplanforthewinterizationofthesitesUNHCRsentalettertoECHO,communicatingwhichoneswillbereadytomovefromtheprovisionofcateredfoodbytheMinistryofDefencetothecommunalkitchensby31/12,whichsiteswillrequirethecontinuedprovisionofcateringandwhichonesareunlikelytobecomeself-sufficientforfoodpreparationandthereforeshouldbeclosed.

¡ Intotalthereare11sitesdependentonelectricityupgrading;6arerelatedtotheestablishmentofkitchenfacilities(individual/communal);1towaterand3havenoknownplan.InFebruary9ofthe18siteswillbereadyforcateringdiscontinuation.Forthe9thatwillneverbeself-sufficientUNHCRwillaskECHOtoadvocatejointlytowardstheGreekgovernmentfortheirclosure.

WaterandSanitation

¡ Within thewinterizationplan forUNHCRdelegatedsites, inorder toalleviatesomeof thewinterizationconcerns,UNHCRplannedtoinstallflooringunderalltentsinRedestos,improvetheWASHfacilitiesandprovidesolutionswhichwillallowthePoCs toprepare and cook theirmeals in a clean anddignifiedmanner. InNovember,UNHCR continued toprovideWASHimprovementsthroughitspartnersinNorthernGreece.InRedestossite,inpartnershipwithInternationalMedicalCorps(IMC)UNHCRcompletedthepipeinsulationforthewaterboiler,thereplacementofcircuitbreakeronthe“hangar2”areaofthesite,theelectricityfixingintheclinicandhangar,fixingleaksintheclinicroofandplumbinginshowersblockandsubstitutionof damagedwater pumps at “hangar 6”. UNHCR and IMC also distributed 553 hygiene kits and conducted four hygienepromotionsessions.Furthermore,sprayingactivityforbedbugsandreplacementofsome600blanketswereundertaken.InNeaKavala,UNHCRensuredrentalandcleaningpaymentof76chemicaltoilets,onechemicaldisabledtoilets,and30showers,andthroughitspartnerSamaritan’sPurse,itinstalledthreeboilercontainers,makingwarmwateravailableatallfourWASHblocksthroughoutthesite.ThroughSamaritan’sPurse,UNHCRalsocompletedtheinstallationof10toiletcontainers(foratotalof50toilets),twodisabledtoiletcontainers,andsixshowercontainers(amountingto24showers).TheWASHcontainersare aimed to replacepartof the chemical ones. Three timesaday cleaningof allWASHcontainers is guaranteed throughdedicatedcleaningstaff,aswellasregularcleaningandde-cloggingofthesixlaundrystationsandtaps.Hygienepromotion



10

materialsandmulti-languagesignsareinstalledaroundalltheWASHblocksandstations.RegularchlorinationofwaterandtestsonwaterqualityareconductedbyUNHCR’spartnerSamaritan’sPurse.

ShelterandCoreReliefItems

¡ Asof30/11,anadditionalone-offdistributionofwinterclothingisbeingconductedinmainlandsites.41siteswillbecoveredbyUNHCRthroughitspartnersSamaritan’sPurse,DRCandIOM.DuringthemonthofNovember,Lesvosdistributed29,254non-fooditemsinsitesacrosstheislandandLeros,6,516non-fooditemsand5,272personalhygieneitems,inKos,2,528andinLeros,2,442itemsand5,272personalitemsweredistributedforwinterization.

CommunityEmpowermentandSelf-Reliance

¡ OnLesvos, in collaborationwithotherhumanitarianactors,UNHCR is coordinating theestablishmentof the “OliveGrove”centre, a recreational space in Moria village, near the Moria RIC. The center will host sports, music and artistic events,educationalactivities,vocationaltrainingandpsychosocialsupportsessions.Itwillbeopenbothtotherefugeeandthelocalpopulation, encouraging closer relations between them. Furthermore, with the financial support of the EC (EuropeanCommission),UNHCRisrenovatingthehealthdispensaryinMoriavillage,whichwillbeaccessiblebothtolocalsandrefugees.

¡ OnLerosasecondvanwasrentedbyUNHCRinlateNovemberforthefacilitationofcommunity-basedactivities.Withthenewvan,PoCswillbetransferredtofootballfields,languagecoursesandotheractivitiesoutsidetheRICandtheopenfacilityatPikpa.TwelvechildrenfromPikpa,Lerosparticipatedinartactivitiesaspartofthe“GhostShipevent”onLeros.TheacclaimedFrenchartistYvesHenrycreatedasculpturethatwasinstalledinLakki.Thechildrenpreparedfrompaperandclaytheirowninterpretation of ships and their journey. The activity was facilitated by UNHCR’s Field Unit on Leros and Leros SolidarityNetwork.Otheractivities,suchaschesscoursesandchesscompetitionscontinuetotakeplacetwiceaweekatthePIKPAopenfacilityandtheRIC,withthesupportofthelocalculturalassociationArtemis.MoreandmorePoCsareexpressingtheirinteresttoparticipate.

Logistics

¡ Transportfromthemainlandtotheislands.SincetheendofSeptember,UNHCRhelpedtoidentify,informandtransportinclosecollaborationwiththeauthorities:846people(714ofthemareprovidedUNHCR’saccommodationinAthens).

SectorofIntervention NationalNGOs InternationalNGOs UnitedNations Authoritiesandothers

ProtectionGCR,Praksis,

METAdrasi,ERP,Arsis,SolidarityNow

ICMC,DRC,IMC,Samaritan’sPurse UNOPS

MinistryofInteriorandAdministrativeReconstructionMinistryof

MigrationPolicy(ASandRIS)

ChildProtection METAdrasi,Praksis,Arsis,Iliaktida

SavetheChildren,DRC,ICMC

CommunicatingwithCommunities GCR/GFR

NFI/Shelter Samaritan’sPurse,DRC UNOPS UniversityofAegean

WASH Samaritan’sPurse,DRC,IRC,IMC

SiteManagementSupport DRC

Health WAHA,MédecinsduMonde,Faros,Intersos

Education SolidarityNow SavetheChildren,DRC,Intersos

PublicAwareness Tenet UNOPS

AccommodationforRelocation

Praksis,Nostos,Arsis,SolidarityNow,

Iliaktida,CRS,Faros

MunicipalityofAthens(ADDMA),MunicipalityofThessaloniki,MunicipalityofLivadia(KEDHL)

Communitymobilization Samaritan’sPurse,Intersos



11

WORKINGWITHPARTNERS¡ UNHCRprovidesprotectionandassistancedirectlyandthrough27partners(11nationalNGOs,11internationalNGOsand5government

institutions)in11differentsectorsofintervention.¡ UNHCRhasalsoongoingpartnershipswiththenationalandlocalauthorities,includingtheGreekMinistryofInteriorandAdministrative

Reconstruction,theMunicipalityofAthens,theMunicipalityofThessalonikiandMunicipalityofLivadia.

FINANCIALINFORMATION

Therevisedinter-agencyregionalRefugeeandMigrantResponsePlan(RMRP)forEurope,releasedon10June,amountstoUSD669.9million,withUNHCRappealingforUSD380.3millioninadditionalsupporttoaffectedcountriesintheeasternMediterraneanandwesternBalkansfor2016.Thisappealsupersedestheoriginal2016requirementsforparticipatingorganizations.Byparticipatinginthisplan,organizationscommittoengaginginregionalandnationalcoordinationmechanismsacrossEurope.Underthisregionalplan,UNHCRisappealingforUSD300millionforGreece.Asof30NovemberthetotalrecordedcontributionsforGreeceamounttoUSD184.5million.

Special thanks tomajordonors for the refugeeemergency inEurope– theEuropeanUnion,theUnitedStatesofAmericaandtheUnitedKingdom–aswellastoallgovernmentandprivatedonorsfortheirgenerouscontributions.The financial support provided by donorswho have contributedwith non-earmarked and broadly earmarked funds, as well as by those who havecontributed directly to the situation and the Greece operation, allows toprovidedirectassistanceinprotectionandsolutionsforrefugeesandasylum-seekers.Inthischangingoperationalcontext,UNHCRisappealingtodonorstoprovidecontributionsthatcanbeallocatedasflexiblyaspossible.

UNHCRGreeceDonors USD

EuropeanCommission(DGHome) 122,272,461

EuropeanCommission(DGECHO) 48,078,074

UnitedKingdom 7,199,041

Germany 3,382,187

Germany 3,382,187

Austria 2,265,006

Norway 1,770,120

FondacionBNPParibas 1,481,481

USAPrivateDonors 475,000

Switzerland 377,551

StavrosNiarchosFoundation 222,965

VodafoneFoundation 145,560

InternationalOlympicCommittee 50,000

Majordonorsofunrestrictedandregionalfundsin2016:UnitedStatesofAmerica(200M)|Sweden(78M)|Netherlands(46M)|PrivDonorsSpain(45M)|UnitedKingdom(45M)|Norway(40M)|Australia(31M)|Japan(24M)|Denmark(24M)|PrivDonorsRepublicofKorea(17M)|PrivDonorsItaly(16M)|Canada(16M)|Switzerland(15M)|France(14M)|PrivDonorsJapan(13M)|PrivDonorsSweden(13M)|Germany(13M)|PrivDonorsUSA(12M)|Italy(10M)



12

Contacts:MarilenaBerardo,AssociateReportingOfficer,UNHCRGreece,[email protected],Tel:+306958479058AikateriniKitidi,AssociateComm/PIOfficer,UNHCRGreece,[email protected],Tel.:+306951854661Won-NaCha,AssociateExternalRelationsOfficer,Relocation,UNHCRGreece,[email protected],Tel:+306956762546HawraaHarkous,InformationManagementOfficer,UNHCRGreece,[email protected],Tel:+306951676545Links:Arrivalfigureswebsite-UNHCRGreece-Facebook–Twitter

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MONTH - UNHCR

Documents

Transcript of HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MONTH - UNHCR