Greece is currently facing what many are calling a "children's emergency" as the number of unaccompanied minors arriving from various regions, particularly via new trafficking routes from Libya to Crete, has surged alarmingly. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have raised voice for immediate measures to protect these vulnerable children.
The situation has escalated to unprecedented levels, according to Sofia Kouvelaki, head of The Home Project, which supports refugee children. "What we are seeing amounts to a children’s emergency of the kind we haven’t witnessed in years," she stated, emphasizing the pressing need for safe spaces to accommodate the influx of minors.
Statistics paint a dire picture: the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) indicates the number of child arrivals holds more than doubled since 2023, with approximately 13,000 minors landing on Greek shores just this November alone. The numbers of unaccompanied and separated children jumped from 1,490 last year to about 3,000 so far this year.
Many of the new arrivals are exceedingly young, hailing from war-torn areas such as Syria and regions of Egypt, conditions which NGOs fear will worsen if immediate actions are not taken. Kouvelaki added, "There are huge numbers of kids turning up on boats every day and an urgent need for the creation of more safe spaces to house them."
The rising tide of unaccompanied minors has many causes. Greek Migration Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos pointed to widespread geopolitical unrest and conflicts around the region, stating, "The extensive geopolitical unrest... is forcing many to abandon their homes simply to survive." He informed Parliament of expectations for continued pressure on Greece's migration routes, adding, "By the end of 2024, we predict around 60,000 additional people arriving."
Despite the heightened urgency, Greece's infrastructure for managing these vulnerable children has come under widespread scrutiny. Cuts to funding have resulted in about 1,500 unaccompanied minors lacking adequate housing or support. Overcrowding remains rampant, particularly within state-run reception facilities, which have become breeding grounds for violence and abuse.
A particularly shocking incident involved the horrific assault of an Egyptian teenager at the Malakasa refugee camp near Athens, prompting outrage and drawing attention to the dire experiences many children face. Deputy Migration Minister Sofia Voultepsi expressed her dismay at the situation and acknowledged the presence of Egyptian minors at the camp, many of whom have been drawn to organized crime circles by traffickers.
Traffickers frequently exploit impoverished families, deceiving them with false promises of work and safety. Once these children arrive, they often find themselves trapped within cycles of violence, neglect, and exploitation. Kouvelaki highlighted the inadequacies of Greece’s current reception system, citing alarming levels of overcrowding, alongside significant shortages of basic services, including qualified interpreters and guardians to look after the children.
NGOs like Save the Children have consistently criticized the government for its failure to address these pressing issues, particularly as the summer months approach, when more children are expected to undertake the dangerous sea crossings. Willy Bergogne, the organization's Europe Director, emphasized the tragic irony of the situation: "Reception centres meant to shelter them have been places of fear and isolation, with violence, alarming living conditions, and a lack of support services."
Such statements underline the growing urgency for both Greek and European Union authorities to take significant steps to rectify this humanitarian crisis. Meanwhile, the Greek government has suggested plans to establish 500 new shelter spaces, but many remain skeptical due to persistent funding challenges.
Criticism of the government’s handling of this crisis, even after major financial investments, continues to mount. The Greek Council for Refugees recently stated, "It is unacceptable...to be discussing such basic issues." The Council echoed concerns about inadequate living conditions, contributing to the overall vulnerability of children fleeing severe humanitarian crises.
With the European Union facing moral and legal obligations to protect these vulnerable children, the situation demands rapid enhancement of existing facilities, additional funding, and comprehensive strategies to support unaccompanied minors. Otherwise, the tragedy of the current children’s emergency will only deepen.
