Project: The project ”Emergency Accommodation Facilities’’ is implemented by the International Organization for Migration - Mission in Greece in cooperation with the General Secretary for Vulnerable Persons and Institutional Protection of the Ministry of Migration and Asylum. The project is supported by the Swiss Contribution to reducing economic and social Disparities in the EU and the Hellenic Ministry of Migration and Asylum. 

Duration: 9 months (March 6th, 2023- December 5th, 2023) 

Implementing Actors: The General Secretary for Vulnerable Persons and Institutional Protection and The International Organization for Migration – Mission in Greece. 

Additional Partnerships: In the framework of the Emergency Response Mechanism, for the operation of the Emergency Accommodation Facilities in Attika and Central Macedonia Regions, strong cooperation has been established with UNHCR and their implementing partners. 

On the initiative of the General Secretary for Vulnerable Persons and Institutional Protection, the measure of protective custody for Unaccompanied Minors (UMC) identified in the Greek territory in precarious living conditions has been abolished by law and for the operational enforcement the National Emergency Response Mechanism for Unaccompanied Minors (NERM) in precarious living conditions has been established, to safeguard children’s rights and ensure that they receive support in accordance with their best interests. The launch of the NERM was a joint initiative of the General Secretary for Vulnerable Persons and Institutional Protection in cooperation with UNHCR, IOM and local Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) (i.e. ARSIS, METAdrasi, Network for Children's Rights (NRC)). It also constitutes the first organized attempt to develop an effective mechanism for the identification and registration of UMCs, who were previously out of the national protection framework and their immediate placement into safe environments receiving a wide array of quality services. 

NERM serves as an appropriate immediate response protection and care mechanism for children living in precarious conditions, guaranteeing that a holistic reception system is in place for the unaccompanied children in Greece. As part of it, IOM is responsible for : a) Provision of shelter, food and Non Food Items (NFI)  in child-appropriate emergency accommodation facilities already established and operated by IOM in mainland Greece b) Provision of care by qualified IOM staff including Case Management, conduction of Best Interest Assessments and Healthcare Services in order to facilitate the placement to long-term care arrangements  

Description of the Activities:

IOM is responsible for operating up to 240 places in Emergency Accommodation Facilities in mainland Greece and  is capitalizing  on its years of experience in providing safe and dignified accommodation to UMC and other vulnerable migrant groups in Greece, ensuring a quick and efficient roll-out of the respective activity and its implementation in accordance with children’s best interest.  

1.1 Provision of shelter, food and Non-Food Items (NFIs)   

The provision of services (appropriate accommodation, nutrition, hygiene services and Non-Food Items) are implemented by IOM under the overall coordination of the General Secretary for Vulnerable Persons and Institutional Protection, either in already established Emergency Accommodation Facilities private buildings, which have been selected through IOM relevant procedures. As per the national guidelines the Emergency Accommodation Facilities will provide a total accommodation capacity of up to 240 places. 

1.2 Provision of care 

The Emergency Accommodation Facilities are providing a safe and protective environment, where a multi-disciplinary team of IOM professionals is assessing UMCs profile and vulnerabilities and refer them to the appropriate long-term care arrangement model. The assistance provided in the facilities includes among others the Case Management, Best Interest Assessment and Primary Healthcare services.  

Factsheet