UNHCR calls refugee situation in Greece humanitarian emergency

With 124,000 refugees arriving on Greek soil since the beginning of the year, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) indicated on Friday that Greek infrastructure and services are failing to address the needs of refugees fleeing wars in Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq.

Representing a staggering 750 percent increase compared to the same period last year, UNHCR Director of the Bureau for Europe Vincent Cochetel urged both Greece and the European Union to take decisive measures to deal with the crisis at hand.

"On most of the islands, there are no reception facilities," he reported, adding that if such facilities do exist, they are often too small and consequently overcrowded, forcing many refugees to camp outside in inadequate water, sanitation and food conditions.

"I've been working 30 years with UNHCR, I've visited many African and Asian countries and I've never seen such a situation," Cochetel stated, adding that "this is the European Union and this is totally shameful."

UNHCR indicated that 50,000 new arrivals, 20,000 more than in June, were registered in July alone, mostly on the islands of Lesvos, Chios, Kos, Samos and Leros.

In light of these trends and amid signs that the inflow of refuges will continue to grow, the refugee agency defined the situation as a humanitarian emergency taking place within the European Union.

"Greece and Europe need to lead the response to this crisis, which can be resolved only through more solidarity within and outside the EU and increased alternative means to reach Europe for refugees fleeing from violence," said Cochetel.

Among the refugees arriving in Greece, mostly via Turkey, Cochetel reported that 63 percent were Syrians, 20 percent Afghans and 4 percent Iraqis. Endit