Alternate Migration Minister Yiannis Mouzalas estimated that “about 50,000 to 70,000 refugees and migrants will be trapped in Greece in the next month,” while in an interview with Greek TV’s Mega channel.
Mouzalas said that the government has submitted an emergency plan to the European Union and highlighted that “the new spots that are being prepared for the stay of the refugees and migrants in Greece are emergency spots and not regular accommodation spaces.”
“We had expected to build temporary accommodation spaces. In Macedonia we will have four hotspots, out of which two will be in Kilkis and Diavata. We have an emergency plan which must be realized. We have quantified it in money, staff and needs. We are hoping that the EU will take action faster,” he said.
Mouzalas also added that “the flows are decreasing as long as there is a plan, when the borders close. Today we have 22,000 people hemmed in our country. We are building emergency spots – not even accommodation spaces – with tents in stadiums etc. We are going to spread them all over the country. For a short time period they might have to stay in sheds, but this is how it is done globally until the accommodation spaces are built.” He also pleaded with the Greek people, urging them not to be afraid that the refugees will stay forever.
Dritsas: Refugees and Migrants Remain On The Islands For the Weekend
Minister of Shipping and Island Policy, Thodoris Dritsas said that for the weekend, all refugees and migrants that are on islands will remain there, so that there is time to create the temporary accommodation spaces in Attica and other places in Greece.
“If there is no solution from Europe, the best way for us to work through this situation – without stopping our efforts on a diplomatic level – is to distribute evenly the load through the country,” said Mouzalas in an interview with SKAI TV.
He said that “it is not unlikely to organize management in collaboration with the local authorities of Northern Greece and other places apart from Piraeus.”
See all the latest news from Greece and the world at Greekreporter.com. Contact our newsroom to report an update or send your story, photos and videos. Follow GR on Google News and subscribe here to our daily email!
