Bärbel Kofler on humanitarian aid in Greece

Bärbel Kofler, the Commissioner for Human Rights Policy and Humanitarian Aid, issued the following statement today (18 March) on the delivery of a health clinic to Greece:

Zusatzinformationen

Given the images coming out of Idomeni, it is unavoidably clear to all of us that the people seeking refuge in Greece, and therefore our Greek partners too, need the support of all EU member states if refugees are to be looked after and accommodated. Germany has stood by Greece from the start in the endeavour to tackle this immense task. The German Government has provided several million euros for humanitarian assistance since last year, alongside the measures undertaken by the EU. We have significantly increased our involvement once again this year.

The ongoing discussion about a long‑term solution to the situation on Greece’s borders must not lead to fallout for the most vulnerable, namely the refugees. What those people need first of all are simple things like a roof over their heads and adequate medical care. Many aid agencies, including German organisations, are already operating on the ground. I am glad that we have been able to bring about the delivery of a health clinic with the aid of the German Red Cross today, thereby helping to close a crucial gap in essential service provision in Greece.

Background information:

On 18 March, the German Red Cross in collaboration with the Finnish Red Cross sent a basic health clinic over land to the region around the border town of Idomeni in northern Greece to provide healthcare to around 10,000 people. The health clinic will be split between two locations not far from one another and established in Nea Kavala and Cherso. Both locations will also serve refugees from Idomeni. Several thousand refugees have been living there without adequate medical care up until now.

The health clinic is currently intended to remain in operation for around four months. It is a mobile clinic and can easily be relocated in order to respond flexibly and swiftly to current developments. The project is financed from the Federal Foreign Office budget.

The Federal Foreign Office had already provided 2.4 million euros for the care of refugees in Greece in 2015. More than 16 million euros have been earmarked to provide humanitarian assistance to refugees along the Balkan route in 2016. The Federal Foreign Office is using this funding to support UN aid agencies such as the UNHCR and UNICEF, the German Red Cross and a number of NGOs.

from
http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/EN/Infoservice/Presse/Meldungen/2016/160318_Griechenland.html?nn=479796