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This month 800 people reached Greece from the land borders and 1,850 arrived on the Greek Aegean islands. This was lower than December’s 3,950 new arrivals. The harsh weather this month affected thousands of people staying in unheated shelter in the reception centres on the islands. The situation was better in mainland sites, overall better prepared for the cold.

By the end of January 2019, UNHCR had created 26,452 places in the accommodation scheme as part of the ESTIA programme. These were in 4,500 apartments and 19 buildings, in 14 cities and 6 islands across Greece. The Accommodation Scheme1 provides rented housing to vulnerable asylum-seekers and refugees in Greece. Urban accommodation helps restore a sense of normalcy and provides better access to services, including education and health. People are additionally supported by social workers and interpreters who help them access medical services, employment, language courses and recreational activities

There were 1,050 land arrivals this month, slightly lower than November’s, while sea arrivals doubled with 2,900 people. The Government with UNHCR’s support continued accelerated transfers asylum-seekers of asylum-seekers from the islands to the mainland this month. This had a very positive impact on some islands, like Chios, while the population in Samos remains five times over the centre’s capacity. UNHCR provided 27,000 places in dignified accommodation in apartments. 27,000 places of dignified accommodation in apartments this month, and since October 49,000 relief items like blankets and sleeping bags to the authorities in reception centres. 

An appeal against violations of the social rights of minor refugees and migrants in mainland Greece and the Northeast Aegean islands was filed before a European body specializing in the protection of social rights at European level.