From 01/03/2016 to 31/01/2017, ARSIS implemented, with the support of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and funded by the EU, the project “Relocation & Reception Scheme” (agreement symbol: GRC01/2016/0000000060).
In the frame of the project, ARSIS operated the following facilities and implemented the following activities:
1.1.1 Accommodation of unaccompanied children
Transit shelters for unaccompanied children
ARSIS operates 3 transit shelters for unaccompanied children in Athens, Alexandroupoli and Sindos (Thessaloniki), whose hosting capacity is currently as follows:
- Athens shelter hosts 30 boys from 14 to 18 years of age
- Alexandroupoli shelter hosts 25 children (boys from 5 to 12 years of age and girls from 5 to 18 years of age)
- Sindos shelter hosts 50 boys from 14 to 18 years of age
Shelters for unaccompanied children
ARSIS operates 3 shelters for unaccompanied children in Alexandroupoli, Makrinitsa (Volos) and Oraiokastro (Thessaloniki), whose hosting capacity is currently as follows:
- Alexandroupoli shelterhosts 22 children (boys from 5 to 12 years of age and girls from 5 to 18 years of age)
- Makrinitsa shelterhosts 30 boys from 12 to 18 years of age
- Oraiokastro shelterhosts 30 boys from 12 to 18 years of age
1.1.2 “Safe Space” for unaccompanied children (Lagadikia)
The “Safe Space” in the Lagadikia Accommodation Centre was operating in the context of the “Relocation and Reception Scheme” from June to September 2016. Its aim was to provide an alternative to protective custody for unaccompanied children and, to that purpose, it hosted 30 unaccompanied underage boys. In addition, it provided for common accommodation to siblings of different sex.
1.1.3 Accommodation of vulnerable adults & families
Accommodation in apartments
ARSIS is providing 767 accommodation places in rented apartments. In particular:
- 348 places in Athens
- 150 places in Thessaloniki
- 269 places on the Greek islands (48 in Samos, 102 in Chios, 60 in Kos, 51 in Leros and 8 in Lesvos)
Estia prosfygon– Refugee shelter for families
The refugee shelter for families Estia prosfygon in Athens hosts 48 adult and minor members of single parent or nuclear families.
Social apartments
The Social Apartments are transitional structures for social inclusion and accommodate a total of 35 asylum seekers:
- The Social Apartments in Athens host 14 people, adults and minor members of single parent or nuclear families
- The Social Apartments in Thessaloniki host 9 male adults aged 18-25
- The Social Apartments in Volos host 12 male adults aged 18-25
All the beneficiaries accommodated in structures and apartments are receiving all the necessary provisions (food, hygiene items, clothing, footwear, transportation etc.) and services (psychological and social support, referral to health providers, education, legal counselling and representation, pedagogical support, etc.).
1.1.4 Other actions for children and the general population
Mobile unit for the support of children in Volos
ARSIS, through its mobile unit that operates in the open accommodation centre “Moza” in Volos, provides services to children aiming to their psycho-pedagogical care as well as to adults aiming to their psycho-social support and integration. The mobile unit may, in the near future, intervene in the other open centres located in Magnisia and the wider region of Central Greece.
Recreational space for children in AKA Relocation Alimos
ARSIS offers, in a specially designated for this purpose space in AKA Relocation Alimos, a variety of pedagogical and recreational activities for children aged 2-15 years during their waiting.
Support actions in the Lagadikia camp
The end of the “Safe Space” project was followed by an action-oriented one with the overall aim of empowering the population that resides in the Lagadikia Accommodation Centre, supporting their integration to their new environment in Europe and boosting their morale. In particular, in November and December 2016, a team of psychologists, social and youth workers, educators, children animators and artists arrived at Lagadikia and provided social services and recreational activities depending on the level of the vulnerability of the beneficiaries.
You can find the final report for the project implementation, attached.
The faces of the children have been blurred, except the cases when written consent has been given from the parents, in accordance with ARSIS child protection policy.
