The number of unaccompanied and separated refugee and migrant children who are living in dangerous and overcrowded reception centers on the Greek islands and detention facilities across the country, now exceeds 1,100.
UNICEF said on Thursday that this represents the largest number since the beginning of 2016.
The agency urged Greece and European member states to do more to protect these particularly vulnerable children.
“We continue to appeal to Greek authorities to transfer children to adequate accommodation on the mainland, but Greece cannot support refugee and migrant children alone,” said Afshan Khan, UNICEF Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia.
She added that it is vital that European governments “increase pledges to relocate unaccompanied and separated refugee and migrant children, and fast-track family reunifications for those who already have relatives in Europe.”
UNICEF highlighted the unhealthy conditions prevailing at the Moria camp on the island of Lesvos.
According to its data, the Reception center there is meant to accommodate 3,000 people, but currently has more than 8,700, including 3,000 children. Moria’s “Section B,” including an adjacent area, has room for housing 160 unaccompanied children, but there now are more than 520 living there.
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!
