May 24, 2016 — As the Greek government begins the evacuation of the informal refugee site at Idomeni on Greece’s northern border, the International Rescue Committee calls for a peaceful evacuation and the provision of suitable alternative shelter. The IRC stressed that humanitarian standards for assistance and basic services must be met at the new sites.
The Greek government has opened multiple sites across Northern Greece to accommodate refugees – and buses are being provided to transport an estimated 8,500 refugees to these sites over the next seven days. On-site pre-registration for asylum will commence shortly.
The IRC, which deployed an emergency response team to Idomeni earlier this year, supports the government’s efforts to move people from the site but reiterates that the move must be done respectfully and with utmost concern for the refugees’ safety and protection.
In coordination with the Greek authorities, the IRC is continuing to scale up its activities across northern Greece to respond to the growing needs of some of the 46,000 people stranded on the mainland.
Panos Navrozidis, The International Rescue Committee’s Country Director in Greece said:
“It is imperative that the needs of refugees are prioritised throughout the evacuation of Idomeni. The majority of these people have fled conflict. They have come to Europe in search of safety and the chance of a better and more secure life. They are in dire need of international protection.
“Upholding the minimum standards for humanitarian assistance at all the new sites is absolutely vital, with sufficient shelter and services for life’s basic essentials.
“The provision of on-site pre-registration for asylum is an important development and a good incentive for refugees to leave Idomeni. The IRC hopes that similar resources will be put behind the relocation process.
“The current asylum process is inadequate and slow. Improved resources are urgently needed to provide refugees safe and legal routes to sanctuary in Europe and to reunite with family members. The extensive backlog means that many refugees will be waiting for months before their case is heard. This is not acceptable anywhere but particularly not in Europe. Greece must be given the support it needs to move the process along in an efficient and thorough way.”