20 June 2016: World Refugee Day – The Greek Red Cross, a pioneer in the protection of refugees

In 2015, the number of applications for asylum lodged in eu member states.E. arrived at a height of-record: almost 1.3 million applications, compared with the..
627.000 2014. Also, this year, over 200,000 migrants have so far crossed the Mediterranean in search of a safe haven within the eu.E. In the light of these developments, and in view of the international Day of Refugees, it is important to stress the need for effective management of the existing humanitarian challenges, strengthening the rights of refugees and the provision of sustainable and long-term solutions that reduce the vulnerability of these populations.
The Greek Red Cross, as a member of the International Movement of Red Cross & Red Crescent societies, is committed to continue to provide help and support to vulnerable migrants, refugees and asylum-seekers, with services that include: first aid, medical care, health, food aid, distribution of clothing and items for personal hygiene, reconnecting families, psychosocial support, creative activities for children.
The Greek Red Cross, according to official records, has been offering so far 758.062 packages of humanitarian material (dry food and bottled water, boxes of survival, items of personal hygiene and cleanliness, family packages and thermal blankets). In our fully equipped ιατρονοσηλευτικές units operating in the hellenic shipyards, the Ritsona, Fordable, New Rode, the Land, Samos, Chios (and in every point of the Greek territory where there is active presence of.E.P. through its Regional Divisions) it is estimated that 94.452 refugees have benefited from services related to health.
In addition, the Volunteer Samaritans, Rescuers & Lifeguards.E.P. they carry out rescues and provide first aid in 40.985 refugees, mainly at the gates of entry-islands of the Eastern Aegean, while 11.131 beneficiaries have received services related to restoring family links (RFL) and facilitate communication with relevant persons.
The wide range of services, such as those depicted concisely in the “language” of numbers, it is in the Business of Emergency implemented by the Hellenic Red Cross in our country to address the refugee crisis, in cooperation and with the financing of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent societies. This programme, amounting to 28 million swiss francs, includes complex operational aspects and challenges, requiring the continuous adaptation of the evolving data.
The valuable assistance received by the Hellenic Red Cross the global network of Red Cross and Red Crescent societies, makes him capable to develop an active solidarity mechanism, συνεπικουρώντας the Greek state in its efforts to manage in terms of humanitarian this refugee and immigration crisis.
In the context of the celebration of the World Day for Refugees, the Hellenic Red Cross reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the protection of vulnerable refugees, asylum seekers and migrants. The relatively large number of arrivals should in no case lead to withdraw from international legal standards or pose a risk to many laudable improvements have been made in law and asylum policy at the european level.