The European Commission has awarded an additional EUR9.3 million in emergency assistance to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR, to provide targeted support to refugees and migrants in Greece.

The grant, which will ensure continuity of services on the islands, covers activities including the provision of transportation, accommodation and auxiliary services to relocate candidates, as well as protection and non-formal education for children involving support to a pilot guardianship network for unaccompanied minors. It also comprises interpretation, core relief items and support for victims of sexual and gender-based violence and abuse.

The total emergency funding granted to the Greek authorities and international organisations operating in Greece now stands at EUR371.16 million, in addition to the EUR509.5 million allocated to the country under the national programmes for the period 2014-2020. Overall, the European Union has mobilised over EUR1.3 billion (until 2020) to help manage migration and the external borders, through various kinds of funding

source:Wam