IOM GREECE PRESENTATION December 2013
IOM is committed to the principle that humane and orderly migration benefits migrants and society As the leading international organization for migration, IOM acts with its partners in the international community to:
Assist in meeting the growing operational challenges of migration management Advance understanding of migration issues Encourage social and economic development through migration Uphold the human dignity and well-being of migrants
First Period: 1952 – 1975 IOM assisted over 140,000 Greek national migrants leave Greece and settle in the USA, Canada, Australia and other overseas countries Second Period: 1975 – 1980s During this period Greece became a transit country for asylum seekers coming from Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa IOM organized and implemented the resettlement of 89,000 foreign migrants and refugees, mainly to USA, Canada, Australia and N. Zealand Third Period: 1990 – Present Greece became a country of destination for migrants coming mainly from Central and Eastern Europe, with large number of Albanians following soon. From 2007 to present: Increasing number of mixed migration flows crossing irregularly through the blue and green borders of Greece
In 2011, Hellenic Police arrested 87,765 TCNs for irregular entry or stay in Greece.
In 2012, Hellenic Police arrested 76,878 TCNs for irregular entry or stay in Greece.
In 2013, Hellenic Police arrested 35,719 TCNs for irregular entry or stay in Greece .
The main source countries are: Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Iraq. There is an increase in the number of Syrian nationals entering Greece.
Land Sea Air Istanbul/Turkey
Main Routes of Irregular Migration to Greece (from Africa and Asia)
Irregular Migrants’ Entry Points
Most irregular migrants who enter Greece are:
Economic migrants Asylum seekers Environmental migrants Most are young, single men but increasingly there vulnerable migrants: Single and two-parent families with children Unaccompanied Minors Elderly migrants Migrants with Medical Needs Victims of Human Trafficking Unaccompanied minors;
UNHCR Report 2011 on the current situation in Greece: “humanitarian crisis” because:
They cannot continue their intended journey to other EU countries. They cannot find work- economic crisis has dried up labour market. They have no food or shelter- many irregular migrants are destitute living in abandoned buildings, factories, parks and town squares. They are vulnerable to exploitation (labour and sexual trafficking) They are vulnerable to becoming victims or perpetrators of criminal activities.
Assisted voluntary returns + reintegration Equi-Health: “Fostering health provision for migrants, the Roma and other vulnerable groups” SOAM: Supporting Organization that Assist Migrants Counter Trafficking Activities: Direct assistance to victims through close cooperation with government, civil society and diplomatic bodies Capacity building: training front-line professionals (judges/prosecutors, law enforcement, social workers, shelter providers, health professionals) Prevention: information campaigns to raise awareness amongst potential victims and potential consumers Building & Strengthening CT Networks: Cross-border, multi-disciplinary cooperation (Turkey, Bulgaria, Greece)
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Beneficiaries:
1.Migrants who entered the country irregularly and therefore did not meet the criteria for entry and residence. 2.Migrants who applied for asylum, and their application was either pending or had been denied and 3.Migrants, who were entitled to international protection, yet requested to return to their country of origin and waive their right to apply.
Special Situations: Returns from Pre-departure Detention Centers: Since the beginning of the implementation of Xenios Zeus operation more than
200,000 migrants have been arrested by the Hellenic Police due to irregular stay in Greece. IOM Greece has a permanent presence at
provide AVRR information to migrants.
the Detention Centers in order to
IOM Greece is working closely with Embassies / Consuls, as well as with Greek
authorities to assist the detainees who want to return to their country of origin.
IOM Greece is currently implementing the Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration project funded by the European Return Fund (75%) and the Greek Government (25%) – Annual Program 2012.
Duration of 12 months (July 2013- June 2014)
Return of 7,000 third country nationals
Provision of Reintegration assistance to 500 migrants
Allowance of 300 euros for all
So far, 3,600 migrants have return to their country of origin (From June 2013 to November 2013). Since 2010, 15,993 migrants have return to their country of origin under the National Projects.
Since 2010, 1637 detainees have return to their country under the National Program.
Reintegration Assistance: Criteria: 1.The
returnee has to have an educational level of secondary and above 2.He has to have work experience in a specific domain for more than six months or ownership of real estate for development 3.Vulnerable cases have direct access to the provision of reintegration assistance Types
of Reintegration: Provision of 2,000 euros in kind taking into account the importance of facilitating a sustainable return. 1.Set up of small businesses 2.Complete education / participation in vocational programs
AVR project funded under the EEA Grants(1/2/2013-31/1/2013): 874 returns of third country nationals to their country of origin, while 22 of them were victims of trafficking from European countries.
AVR project funded under the United Kingdom Home Office (1/2/2013-31/3/2013 & 10/10/2012-10/08/2013): 278 returns of third country nationals to their country of origin.
National AVR(R) projects implemented since 2010: 15,993 returns of third country nationals to their country of origin.
Total: Since 2010, 17,145 TCNs have return to their country of origin
IOM IS COMMITTED TO THE PRINCIPLE THAT HUMANE AND ORDERLY MIGRATION BENEFITS MIGRANTS AND SOCIETY.
IOM IS COMMITTED TO THE PRINCIPLE THAT HUMANE AND ORDERLY MIGRATION BENEFITS MIGRANTS AND SOCIETY.
Supporting organizations that assist migrants asylum seeking population in Greece (SOAM), funded under the EEA Grants(1/12/2012 – 30/9/2016). IOM Greece is the fund operator and supervises the implementation of NGO projects that provide services to asylum seekers, especially unaccompanied minors and other vulnerable groups.
Addressing the needs of Unaccompanied Minors ,funded under the European Return Fund and various European Countries (1/1/2013-30/6/2014) : Provision of AVRR assistance to unaccompanied minors. IOM activities include family tracing, family assessment and support of BID process. To date 24 minors have return to their country of origin.
Strengthening first reception response to new arrival in mixed migratory movements at the borders funded by the European External Border( 1/4/2013-31/12/2013).
IOM IS COMMITTED TO THE PRINCIPLE THAT HUMANE AND ORDERLY MIGRATION BENEFITS MIGRANTS AND SOCIETY.
Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration from Greece funded by the UK Home Office: This 24-month project foresees the return of 1500 third-country nationals and assistance in reintegration activities for 75 returning migrants. The project will also fund IOM’s continuing presence in Lesvos and will enable IOM to also have staff in Thessaloniki, the second largest urban centre in Greece. IOM staff at the border entry points will provide AVR(R) information and gather data on migration profiles and trends.
Open Centre for Migrants Registered for AVRR: A pilot project for the period of 24 months, in partnership with the Ministry of Public Order & Citizen Protection would enable IOM Greece to allow for the creation of a “separate protected open centre’’. This centre would be modeled on the current first reception centres that are operated in border entry points in Greece.
IOM IS COMMITTED TO THE PRINCIPLE THAT HUMANE AND ORDERLY MIGRATION BENEFITS MIGRANTS AND SOCIETY.
THANK YOU
IOM IS COMMITTED TO THE PRINCIPLE THAT HUMANE AND ORDERLY MIGRATION BENEFITS MIGRANTS AND SOCIETY.