Refugee Crisis - EU delivers practical assistance to help Greece

Every day, between 2,000 and 3,000 refugees and migrants arrive on Greek islands and need basic emergency assistance. They continue to come despite it being Winter.

The EU and its Member States have been supporting Greece in managing the continuing arrival of refugees and migrants by providing emergency assistance items and equipment

As part of this two cargo planes carrying relief items for refugees landed last week in Athens. This new delivery of aid was made possible by the United Kingdom which provided the winter equipment, and the European Commission which helped the operation via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism and covered 85% of the transport costs.

The airlifts brought 1,000 winter tents and close to 9,000 wool blankets to refugees and migrants in Greece

During recent months, Hungary, Serbia, Slovenia, Croatia and most recently Greece have requested and received practical assistance – sleeping bags, personal protective items, heat, electricity, lighting and more – through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. Through this the Commission coordinates the delivery of relief materials to support Member States and neighbouring countries facing major peaks in the Refugee Crisis.

In addition, the Commission supports Western Balkans countries which serve as transit countries for refugees with humanitarian funding.
[eeas.europa.eu]
9/2/16