Greece faces surge in unaccompanied refugee children amid shelter crisis
Greece is grappling with a sharp increase in unaccompanied refugee children, with over 13,000 minors arriving by sea in the first 11 months of 2024, according to the UNHCR.
The rise, attributed to a new trafficking route from Libya to Crete, has doubled child arrivals compared to the previous year. NGOs are urging the government to address the shortage of “safe zones” and protective shelters for these vulnerable children.
Sofia Kouvelaki, head of the Home Project, called the situation “a children’s emergency,” emphasizing the urgent need for additional safe spaces. Many of the recent arrivals are exceptionally young, coming from countries like Syria and Egypt.
Aid groups report that hundreds of children on Aegean islands, including Samos, Leros, and Kos, lack basic necessities such as clothing, shoes, and access to essential services.
Greek Migration Minister attributed the surge to regional geopolitical unrest, including conflicts in Syria and the broader Middle East, as well as climate-related displacement, warning that migration pressure on Greece, Europe’s southernmost border, is likely to persist into 2025, with an estimated 60,000 people expected to have entered the country by the end of the year.
According news reports, overcrowding in refugee camps has exacerbated the crisis, with incidents of violence and abuse rising in facilities where children and adults are often housed together. Officials announced plans to create 500 additional child protection spaces but noted that funding remains a challenge.
Advocacy groups continue to call for immediate action to ensure the safety and well-being of unaccompanied children, highlighting the need for EU-wide cooperation.
