The European Commission and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) today launched a scheme to provide 20,000 additional reception places for asylum seekers and relocation candidates in Greece through subsidies for housing in the private sector. The Commission is providing €80 million from the 2016 EU budget.This declaration helps to deliver on a commitment made by Greece and the UNHCR during the Western Balkans Leaders’ Meeting on 25 October 2015.
Vice-President Kristalina Georgieva, responsible for Budget and Human Resources, signed the declaration on behalf of the European Commission, together with Mr George Okoth-Obbo, UNHCR Assistant High Commissioner for Operations, and Mr Ioannis Mouzalas,
Alternate Minister of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction of Greece. Vice-President Georgieva said: “Today we stand in solidarity with Greece and with children, women and men seeking refuge in Europe. The scheme we are launching offers EU budgetary support for families, notably providing them with adequate shelter. While today’s agreement is about temporary assistance, the Commission continues to use the full range of tools at our disposal to find a long-term solution to the refugee crisis in Europe.”
