The European Commission has awarded an additional € 6.48 million in emergency assistance to improve reception conditions in accommodation centers in the Greek islands of Lesvos (Kara Tepe) and Chios (Souda). With this funding the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) will provide services such as food, water and sanitation supply and help ensure protection for vulnerable migrants as well as education and healthcare.
The overall emergency funding allocated to the Greek authorities and international organizations operating in Greece now stands at € 361.82 million, adding to the € 509.5 million allocated to Greece under the national programs for the period 2014-2020.
The Commission also awarded an additional € 1.22 million in emergency assistance to support UNHCR's activities in Bulgaria to help improve reception conditions and the protection environment of asylum seekers and refugees.
The funding will support the monitoring of asylum procedures and the provision of legal, psychological and psychosocial support, including for child migrants. This brings the total emergency assistance for migrant and border management in Bulgaria to € 170 million on top of the € 91 million allocated to Bulgaria under the national programs for the period 2014-2020.
