28 April 2020

Announcement

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) from the first moment of COVID-19 outbreak in Greece, has continued its cooperation with the Greek Authorities in the ongoing operation, as well as other areas which are under its mandate.

The most important area of activities is within the facilities hosting migrants, as part of the Greek national reception system. According to the National Law, both hotel accommodations and camps in the mainland are under the full responsibility of the Ministry of Migration and Asylum, including safety and security issues.

According to the agreement with the Government of Greece, IOM has been requested to provide specific services of site management support through IOM staff, deployed at each location 5 days a week, during working hours. IOM cannot be held responsible for illegal acts that hosted migrants may commit and has no control over the transfer of migrants to and from those accommodation locations that are activated on the basis of the Ministry of Migration and Asylum decision.

Currently, IOM is providing services in 30 open accommodation sites in the mainland of Greece where 25,000 migrants are accommodated, and 55 hotels, where 6,000 asylum seekers are temporarily accommodated.

IOM stands ready to further support where and when needed, always in coordination and upon request by the Greek authorities as part of the United Nation system.