On average 75 asylum seekers are arriving on the Aegean islands daily
Photo: Alternative Economics
Greece has stepped up to cater to the increasing number of people seeking asylum in Europe with the reopening of camps and facilities across the mainland.
The decision to open the four camps, which were set up in 2015 at the peak of the refugee crisis, follows Malta and Italy’s refusal last week to allow a rescue ship that was carrying over 600 migrants to dock at their ports.
After the four centres are added, there will be a total of 25 centres catering to migrants across the country.
North of Athens, tents have been set up at the Malakasa camp to cater to 300 people, while another 400 people will be housed at the Vagiochori camp near Thessaloniki, which is expected to reopen in the coming days.
While numbers at certain centres had either decreased or plateaued, that trend has since been reversed. One example is the Skaramagas refugee centre near the port of Piraeus, where over 2,000 people are currently being accommodated.
On the islands, where they are taking the brunt of the crisis, protests have been taking place for months to raise awareness about the impact of overcrowding living conditions at camps and the resulting violence. This has particularly been the case at the Moria refugee camp on Lesvos.
The government has said that it aims to cut the number of migrants on the islands by the end of September.
Statistics indicate that on average 75 migrants are arriving each day on the Aegean islands in need of support, reports Kathimerini.
Since the refugee crisis started up right up until 11 June this year, an estimated total of 12,065 refugees have arrived in Greece.
Source: Neoskosmos.com >>>