Following a two-day visit to Athens, Greece, Amy Pope, Director General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), welcomed a landmark agreement to further protect migrants in the country.
The new Host Country Agreement signed with the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs will allow IOM to continue providing services including life-saving protection and health, mental health support, and pathways for regular migration, integration, relocation, and voluntary returns.
This reinforces IOM's close partnership with the Greek Government, supporting migrants in need and working to achieve safe and regular migration in order to protect the dignity of people on the move.
"This agreement is a landmark in IOM's 72-year partnership with Greece, a country that has been at the forefront of migration management efforts in Europe, especially over the last decade," Pope said. "We look forward to strengthening our collaboration to help migrants in Greece tackle the daunting task of rebuilding their lives in a new country, or assist them to safely return home."
Accompanied by the Minister of Migration and Asylum, Nikos Panagiotopoulos, and the Deputy Minister for Integration, Sofia Voultepsi, Pope visited a reception facility for asylum seekers in Schisto, 15 kilometres from the capital. This was opened following the 2015-2016 refugee crisis, housing initially mainly Afghan families with children.
She spoke with some of the 700 migrants about their hopes and aspirations for the future.
"It was incredibly humbling to speak with some of the mothers, fathers and children who bravely left their homes in search of safety and a better life here in Greece," Pope said. "Engaging closely with those we serve is crucial to understanding their needs and priorities and, ultimately, to enhancing the effectiveness of our support."
At this facility, IOM works closely with the government of Greece to help migrants integrate into Greek everyday life.
The goal is to give people skills and knowledge enabling them to find work and integrate into Greek society.
IOM helps with vocational training, especially for key industries that need workers the most, along with Greek language lessons and education on other aspects of Greek social and cultural life.
On her visit, the Director General welcomed the Greek initiative to establish a protective network for unaccompanied children, which includes the operation of shelters for minors with 24/7 assistance as part of the National Emergency Response Mechanism.
This valuable work means that children stranded in Greece alone are looked after and given the support they need, including learning Greek.
IOM is leading the first nation-wide integration programme for refugees in Greece. The HELIOS programme has provided over 23,000 people to date with Greek language classes, accommodation, and support to access the labour market, including through job counselling and career events organized with private sector representatives.
Since 2010, the ΙΟΜ office in Greece has also been implementing assisted voluntary return and reintegration for migrants who choose to return home. More than 60,000 people have been supported to return to their countries of origin in a safe and dignified manner. Upon their arrival, returning migrants receive tailored support to help ensure their sustainable reintegration within their communities.
In recent years, IOM has worked closely with Greek authorities to provide technical expertise in site management to establish the current reception system of asylum seekers nationwide.
During her visit, Pope also met with the President of the Greek National Human Rights Institution, and thanked IOM staff for their dedication and hard work in supporting migrants and host communities every day.
