Roundup: Vulnerable refugees "left behind" in Greece due to inadequate support

Seven months after the signing of the EU-Turkey deal aimed to stem the refugee and migrant influx into Greece, despite pledges for support from the EU, more than 60,000 people are currently stranded in the country living in difficult conditions, the humanitarian group Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said Thursday.

The group, which offers aid to thousands of people in the past two years, urged for the implementation of urgent measures from Greek and European authorities to improve their lives in reception centers and accelerate the relocation program, expressing deep concern in particular for the most vulnerable groups among refugees.

Victims of violence, unaccompanied minors, pregnant women, infants and people suffering from chronic illnesses, physical disabilities or psychological disorders are not quickly identified as vulnerable cases and are not provided with adequate care, according to an MSF survey released on Thursday under the title "Vulnerable refugees are left behind."

"Hotspots on the islands accommodate double numbers compared to their capacity and the aid offered in reception facilities in the mainland is insufficient," Loi Jaeger, head of MSF's mission in Greece, said in an e-mailed press statement.

According to estimates from Greece's Refugee Crisis Management Coordination Body, UNICEF and other NGOs for example some 20,000 minors are among the refugees trapped in Greece since the European border closures last winter.

Although progress steps have been made in recent months to accommodate the refugees in humane conditions, as most sides have acknowledged, several challenges remain to be faced.

Despite the solidarity of Greek society and the efforts made, most of the refugees are living in overcrowded facilities in tents with poor access to health care in the debt laden country, NGOs stressed.

"In Northern Greece lately temperature has already dropped to 5 degrees Celsius. How can Europe leave these people out there in the cold for another winter?" Jaeger asked.

Christina Sideri, an MSF psychologist, underlined the stress of living in limbo.

"The assessment of their asylum bids is lengthy, they feel insecure about their future, they feel like they are held in an open prison," she said.

The group is making a plea to Greek authorities and the EU to work harder and fast to ease the refugees 'suffering and help them heal their wounds in Greece or other European countries.

In the first half of 2016, MSF have provided medical care to 25,000 people and in coordination with the Greek Health Ministry has helped inoculate 7,000 refugee children.

More than one million people crossed the Aegean from Turkey since early 2015 from warzones and poverty seeking refuge in Europe.

Since the closure of the Balkan route to central Europe in February 2016, about 60,600 people are stranded in Greece, according to the latest official data issued on Thursday by the Greek Refugee Crisis Management Coordination Body.

The overwhelming majority is living in about 50 organized reception centers across Greece.

Since March 2016, 714 migrants non eligible for asylum and refugees who decided to drop the European dream have been returned to Turkey under the EU-Turkey agreement, according to the Coordination Body.

Meanwhile, hundreds keep landing on Greek shores each month risking their lives on boats. Endit