EU provides an additional 130 million euros for refugee facilities on Greek islands

The need for increased financial support has only risen over the last few months

Greece has been juggling two enormous problems at the same time for over half a year – the increased strain from migrants arriving over the Mediterranean and the coronavirus pandemic. Even if we choose to ignore other sources of geopolitical tensions, these two main issues might seem insurmountable without visionary and robust leadership – and without competent partners.

Providing support when and where it is needed

While Greek authorities certainly proved themselves more than capable in containing the coronavirus pandemic during its first few months, some problems require international and joint solutions. Thus, the Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum has been in talks with the European Commission for the allocation of more funds for the creation of refugee facilities on the country’s islands, as the influx of migrants appears to not be abating.

In turn, the European Commission, and more specifically the European Commission’s Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund has responded in kind with the announcement that it will be allocating a total of 130 million euros to aid Greece in its endeavours. In its letter to Greek authorities, the EU’s executive stated that it "welcomes the efforts made by the Ministry of Immigration and Asylum to address the immigration situation in Greece and fully recognizes the urgent need for this financial support."

The funding that will be granted to the Greek government will, more specifically, be used for the construction of three closed migrants centres on the islands of Samos, Leros and Kos. Providing adequate and timely funding is doubly important in the current context as the raging coronavirus pandemic might be exacerbated from the unsanitary and uncontrolled conditions that some migrants might find themselves in upon arriving on Greek shores.