EU states to take in 1,600 migrant children in Greece

·

A group of European Union countries has agreed to take in at least 1,600 migrant children in Greece traveling without their parents, with the first unaccompanied minors likely to find homes in Luxembourg as soon as next week, EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson said Friday.

There are currently over 42,000 migrants living in overcrowded camps in the Greek islands, including about 5,500 unaccompanied minors. According to the police agency Europol around 10% of them are younger than 14.

Finland, France, Germany, Luxembourg and Portugal have offered to take them in, and Johansson said that at least two other countries expressed an interest in getting involved during a meeting Friday of EU interior ministers. She did not name them.

Earlier this week, Johansson said that migrant children traveling alone “face violence, abuse and exploitation. Many of them just disappear from the asylum and reception centers and we don’t know where they are. I am afraid that many of them fall into the hands of criminals.”

From left, Greek Minister delegate Georgios Koumoutsakos, Luxembourg’s Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn and European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson speak during a meeting of EU interior ministers at the European Council building in Brussels, Friday, March 13, 2020. AP Photo/Thierry Monasse

She said Friday Greek authorities have told her that quite a few are going to school each day, although some are dropping out, several choosing to try vocational training instead. She said that “a lot are living in quite OK conditions,” but some fall off the radar.

Greece requested help to care for lone child migrants last September. The EU’s executive commission also asked for assistance from member countries but none was forthcoming. Johansson suggested that tensions between Greece and Turkey over migrants might have spurred countries into action.

Sourced by: Associated Press

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Historic ties remembered as Greece’s Evzones march in Adelaide’s ANZAC Day parade

During a Dawn Service at West Torrens on Friday, April 25, the Evzones stood guard alongside Australian army battalion in remembrance.

Greek glamour meets Aussie pop: Inside the colourful universe of Stavroula Adameitis

Adelaide-born designer Stavroula Adameitis is a creator of bespoke pieces that she describes as ‘wearable art.’

Melbourne seminar to focus on the odyssey of Michel ‘Pablo’ Raptis

Michel Pablo was a twentieth century revolutionary whose life and ideas remain relevant and inspirational until today.

Lawyer Greg Masselos warns NSW workers’ comp changes could devastate frontline workers

Greg Masselos has warned that proposed changes by the NSW government to raise the threshold for claims could have devastating consequences.

Niki Louca shares how to make Focaccia Bread

Niki Louca from My Greek Kitchen shares her favourite recipe for pita bread with The Greek Herald. You can follow her on Instagram.

You May Also Like

Athens ‘lights up’ in honour of Foreign Heroes of the Greek Revolution

Athens’ streets are known to be rich in history and wherever you look around you there is a piece of the past.

CEO of Melbourne’s Hellenic Museum becomes a Lego figure

Sarah Craig, CEO and Head of Curation at the Hellenic Museum in Melbourne, turned into a Lego figure for International Lego Classicism Day.

‘We are always by your side’: Greek Independent Authority for Public Revenue Governor

The Tax Governor of the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (IPRA), Giorgos Pitsilis, was in Sydney to attend the 15th Plenary Session.