The Syrian refugees crisis began in March 2011 when a group of adolescents in the southern Syrian town of Daraa were jailed for writing “anti-government” graffiti. The government retaliated with violence, which grew in intensity over time. As a result, many Syrians began to flee to Turkey, a nearby nation, in search of asylum. As a result, Turkey opened its first refugee camp within two months after the conflict began.
Over one million people departed Syria in March 2013, two years after the crisis began. 12 million individuals have recently evacuated Syria as refugees and sought shelter in other countries.
Initially, Turkey and the European Union reached an agreement prohibiting refugees from crossing the Turkish border into Europe. Turkey, on the other hand, indicated that it would not keep up its half of the bargain in 2016. Lesvos, a Greek island, has established an immigration checkpoint and “holding station” for Syrian and African immigrants seeking asylum in Europe.
Approximately 50,000 refugees are now residing in Greece. This figure is based on 38,000 asylum seekers on the mainland and 11,000 refugees on Lesbos, Chios, Kos, Samos, and Leros, Greece’s neighboring islands. Furthermore, almost half of the refugees are women and children.
Given the high number of refugees who have sought shelter in Greece, many of the facilities that house them have become overcrowded. Even though it has a maximum capacity of 6,000 people, one facility, for example, is hosting about 40,000 refugees.
Unfortunately, individuals seeking asylum in Europe are not permitted to travel beyond Greece’s borders, forcing them to remain in the country. Many immigrants are traumatized as a result of violence and conflict in their home countries and require medical attention and rehabilitation.
It is critical to integrate these immigrants into society in order to assist them in recovering from their difficulties and maintaining their employment.
Greece is one of the key countries taking on the burden of accommodating an overwhelming number of refugees, according to the European Union. At least 5,200 refugee children from Syria, Africa, Afghanistan, and Iraq are living in deplorable conditions in Greece.
As a result, the EU has started executing its new relocation policy, which will allow immigrants to travel to other European nations. The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have all assisted in the relocation process.
Twelve youngsters were moved from Greece to Luxembourg in April. There were 11 boys and one girl in this group of refugee children. Two of the youngsters are from Syria, and ten are from Afghanistan, and their ages range from 11 to 15. Germany has also declared that it will submit an application to take in a group of Greek children seeking asylum.
On July 7, a bigger group of 25 unaccompanied minors was moved from Greece to Portugal. The guys in this cohort ranged in age from 15 to 17 years old. Another group of 25 kids was relocated to Finland from Greece the next day. Around 3,300 refugees, including 1,600 unaccompanied children, are expected to be resettled across Europe as part of the relocation effort.
The guys in this cohort ranged in age from 15 to 17 years old. Another group of 25 kids was relocated to Finland from Greece the next day. Around 3,300 refugees, including 1,600 unaccompanied children, are expected to be resettled across Europe as part of the relocation effort. During the crisis, these unaccompanied youngsters were separated from their families. They had no known relatives in Europe. Some of their relatives, on the other hand, may have been transported to other nations.
Due to the COVID-19 epidemic, the necessity to complete the EU’s refugee relocation endeavor is more pressing than ever.
Individuals who live in overcrowded refugee camps are more likely to develop the new coronavirus. Individuals find it extremely difficult to practice social distancing inside these facilities. Essential medicines, food, and sterilized water are also unavailable in many refugee camps. Furthermore, the shortage of clean water makes it difficult for people to use adequate handwashing practices.
While the process of moving refugees appears to be going well, there is still work to be done. Children who have been relocated now have the opportunity to live in possibly safer situations, allowing them to better integrate and develop in society. Immigrants can flee violence and attain a higher standard of living thanks to the cooperation of the Greek government and United Nations agencies.
Source: borgenmagazine.com
