Interview: Decent refugee centers in Greece our responsibility: UNHCR official

After the evacuation of the informal refugee camp of Idomeni crossing on the border with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) last week, the focus now is on running decent, humane refugee centers, an official with the United Nations' refugee agency told Xinhua.

At the former military camp of Lagkadikia, 100 km southeast of Idomeni, physical site planner for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Nagendra Adhikari spoke of the moral duty and the challenges of providing humanitarian aid to thousands of people.

"We have worked day and night to establish this site. The pressure was huge because of the situation in Idomeni and other places to accommodate the most vulnerable cases, children, people with special needs and the unaccompanied kids. We have 40 unaccompanied minors and more than 40 percent of the center's population is children," Adhikari said.

With a long experience in planning such centers across the world, the Nepalese expert arrived in Greece a few months ago from Jordan to help Greek authorities design and set up facilities such as the reception center at Lagkadikia.

The UNHCR gained the written permission from the Greek Ministry of Defense to turn the abandoned camp into a hospitality center in early April. Construction started on April 9 and the first refugees were on the site on April 24.

Adhikari planned the Lagkadikia center which currently accommodates 875 people according to international standards providing 32-45 square meters to each person.

Already 192 tents, 40 toilets and shower units with hot water, a classroom, a clinic, a basketball court, a recreational area and a spot to charge mobile phones are in place.

The kitchen and a playground for children are under construction, while soon there will be no need for the generators, as his team works on the connection with the main electricity line.

Electricity and wifi connectivity are very important to the refugees who have to call via Skype to get an appointment to apply for asylum. People cheer each time one manages to get through.

"When you feel insecure where you are, you have the right to leave and find a safe place. This is our humanitarian responsibility -- to give them [refugees] a safe environment no matter which country they come from and where they are going," Adhikari said. "Now the government and the UNHCR are working together to find new sites and give better living conditions to persons fleeing from wars," he added.

The Lagadikia center was set up as a temporary facility on a site. The goal is to host people for a few days or weeks until they will be relocated in other European countries or other facilities across Greece.

Approximately 54,000 refugees are currently stranded in Greece, according to Greek authorities.

Meanwhile, renovation works continue and health cases are referred to local hospitals. The 600 villagers of Lagkadikia will have to share their water resources with the refugees. The Lagadikia water mainline will be upgraded.

"Everywhere you go there are challenges. The point is that solutions can always be found when all sides sit around a table and discuss in a positive spirit," Adhikari said. Enditem