The refugee issue is making headlines in Greece aside from the devastating conditions in camps on the islands. The decision of the government of the conservative Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (Nea Dikomkratia / ND) that migrants recognized as entitled to asylum no longer have the right to accommodation provided by aid organizations has driven many of those affected into homelessness. According to the media, almost 11,000 people could be affected in the middle of winter.
Suddenly in winter without a roof over your head
They were previously under the protective supervision of the “Estia” and “Helios” support programs and therefore usually had a roof over their heads. The government’s decision that as recognized asylum seekers they would have to stand “on their own two feet” in future forced many of them to leave their homes. Some of them are now homeless in the middle of winter.
According to the Mitsotakis government, recognized refugees, like any Greek citizen, have to look after their own maintenance and shelter. The government decision usually leads directly to homelessness, as those affected would no longer be able to cope with their lives without financial support, according to a protest letter from 73 aid organizations recently.
For example, almost 9,203 refugees received a rent allowance through the “Helios” financial program, in which almost 23,000 refugees were registered. Many refugees are now not or no longer supported by “Helios”.
NGOs: bureaucratic hurdles
Those entitled to asylum face many problems, warned the aid organizations. Due to bureaucratic and linguistic obstacles or discriminatory regulations, many would have no chance of getting a job or renting accommodation. Even if they could afford it, they often failed because they didn’t have a social security or tax registration number or were not allowed to open a bank account.
According to the aid organizations, those affected are also sometimes particularly vulnerable or traumatized people, such as victims of sexual violence or torture, people with health problems, including mental health problems or disabilities. Many single women and single mothers are among them.
