Greece facing a ‘children’s emergency unlike anything seen in recent years’

Recent data from the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) highlighted that the number of unaccompanied or separated children entering Greece this year has more than doubled from the number of cases seen last year.

Humanitarian organisations are describing the situation as a “children’s emergency unlike anything seen in recent years.” NGOs are calling on authorities to implement urgent measures to transfer minors to safe shelters.

Greece praised for its efforts to protect migrants

The eruption of armed conflict in the Middle East and the presence of another trafficking route from Libya to Crete are reportedly some of the main reasons behind the rise in number of unaccompanied or separated children in Greece.

Nonetheless, the country has been praised for its efforts to protect migrants. In October, the Human Rights Committee commended Greece for its ongoing efforts to support minors, highlighting the country’s progress in asylum infrastructure.