Presenting a new shelter set up in Athens to house unaccompanied children that enter Greece as migrants, Greek Alternate Minister for Migration Policy Tasia Christodoulopoulou praised on Tuesday the initiative by the Ioannis. S. Latsis Foundation and the non-governmental organization Praksis.
At a press conference, Christodoulopoulou said there are now 18 children housed at the shelter, which has been operating in Athens for roughly a month, while another 99 unaccompanied children are being held in detention centers across Greece due to the lack of housing facilities.
The shelter’s construction was financed by the Latsis Foundation, which has also undertaken to cover its running costs until the Ministry manages to secure funding from the European Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund.
“I think this is a very important and symbolic initiative that must be mimicked by others, since the state, in its current condition, greatly depends on individuals and foundations to finance such structures to help the children,” the Minister stressed.
Christodoulopoulou expressed hope that money will soon be secured from Europe to allow Greece to provide at least basic conditions of hospitality to refugees, adding that protection of minors will be a priority.
(source: ana-mpa)
See all the latest news from Greece and the world at Greekreporter.com. Contact our newsroom to report an update or send your story, photos and videos. Follow GR on Google News and subscribe here to our daily email!
