Since the beginning of 2015, Greece has been the entry point into Europe for more than 1 million refugees and migrants seeking safety and security for them and their families.
When the border between Greece and Macedonia – which people passed through on the way to the rest of the EU – closed, it left thousands of people stranded, including 2,000 children.
Before they can leave, many must wait for legal asylum. This is a long and arduous process, leaving thousands stuck in camps and detention centres which fall below acceptable living standards.
Some camps are lacking the bare minimum, including toilets and suitable shelter. Those stranded include families, crowded together, sleeping in tents or simply out in the open.
Stuck in arid conditions, protests and violence have erupted in some areas, and several of the camps in mainland Greece have reached maximum capacity.
Those desperate to leave often turn to smugglers for help, meaning that they’re vulnerable to exploitation, especially children who are travelling alone.
We’re working across mainland Greece and the Greek Islands, including Lesvos, Chios, Kos and Leros, to reach those most in need of help.
