GREECE: Inclusion and Integration Support for Refugees in Ioannina , Epirus.
Context There are now more than 3,250 refugee men, women and children in Epirus region, with approximately 100 more
registered and unregistered arriving each month.
The enduring trauma of fleeing the violence of war, loss
of home and income, and disruption to kinship networks, Text means that many refugees in Greece are suffering from a multitude of mental health conditions which are not being addressed. They are also struggling to learn the Greek
language, access education and find work.
The situation is compounded by the lack of training and job opportunities for Greek citizens also, and can create competition over resources, and tension between Greek and refugee communities. Our Projects
Multidisciplinary Case Management
Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS)
Education and Life Skills
Protective Accommodation People enjoy live music during the opening event of the community center “Mikri Polis” in April 2017. Photograph: Terre des hommes
Key Concerns
In Epirus, funding for services for refugee children and adults was severely cut in 2017; especially adult education, and mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS); Now, hundreds of refugee youth and adults, living in the urban area are unable to access education, limiting their ability to integrate, and forcing them to use their children to interpret for them on sensitive matters which can be harmful to children; Many youth age 15-24 years have already missed years of education due to conflict in their own countries and will struggle to transition to adulthood without urgent action to address the gap in services for this age group; Continuing inactivity and lack of purpose leads to loss of hope, low self-esteem, frustration and development or deterioration of mental health problems amongst refugee youth, children and their caregivers; Children are exposed to the emotional roller-coaster of those around them; sometimes with abusive consequences. Poor psychosocial wellbeing is putting lives at risk: Suicide attempts are reported, while in the long-term, refugees are at increasing risk of social exclusion, and vulnerable to abuse and exploitation; The 2008 global financial crisis decimated Greece’s public services and has exacerbated mental health problems among the Greek population also;
Greece is experiencing the highest unemployment rate in Europe at 19% overall and almost 40% for youth age 15 – 24 years. This creates competition over resources and subsequently tension between Greek and refugee communities; Over 350 people regularly access adult education, legal and MHPSS services at “Mikri Polis” Community Centre each month. However, if no funding is secured to continue this service next year, the centre will have to close in December 2018.
Our Goal Run a community centre to support refugees and local Greek citizens in Ioannina build bridges between their communities and access critical services which:
Provide rehabilitative opportunities for those suffering mental health problems. Support social and economic inclusion for those at risk or already socially excluded. Prevent their abuse, exploitation (e.g. human trafficking and child labour) and criminality.
For more information, please visit: www.tdh.ch Overview in figures 60,300 refugees reside on mainland Greece (20,505 in protective apartments and approximately 39,795 in camps, detention facilities, or living homeless on the street).
An estimated 3,250 refugees reside in Epirus region. (1,350 in protective apartments and approximately 1,900 in sites, shelters, detention facilities, or living on the street). Over 1,000 refugees and Greek citizens have accessed services at the “Mikri Polis” Community Centre since it first opened in 2017. Currently over 350 people regularly access services at “Mikri Polis” Community Centre each month. This includes refugees and local Greek people accessing language classes, community events, a library and the fabrication laboratory.
Assessments and studies conducted by medical actors indicate that up to 75% of refugees and asylum seekers in Greece suffer from mental health problems ranging from mild to severe.
Expected results What can be done with your 1 Community Center supported to deliver critical services and promote support? social cohesion between local Greek citizens and refugees. CHF 10 = 1 book or dictionary for the
1 Fabrication Laboratory (Fab Lab) providing PSS and skills international library. development opportunities to both refugees, asylum seeker and local CHF 25 = 1 family will access a systemic Greek residents. therapy session. 1 International Library offering books in different languages. CHF 50 = 1 young adult will access 40 hours 1 Community Kitchen serving the whole community and a place to host of intensive Greek language classes. community events. CHF 100 = 20 children will access 70 children have regular access to a child friendly space (CFS) providing psychosocial and educational activities
PSS for children. enabling their parents to attend a Greek 300 refugee youth and adults and local Greek residents in Ioannina language class. have access to adult education opportunities. CHF 500 = 100 children, youth and their 500 children and their families have access to mental health and caregivers can access interpretation services psychosocial support services (MHPSS) for 1 week. 500 refugee children and their families have access to legal services. CHF 5800 = 300 children, youth and young 10 Community events bring refugees and the local Greek population adults will access a Fabrication Laboratory for together to exchange culture and share values. one month.
“Recov ery”
“Every day I feel a little better. I can see improvements and even my kids are doing better. For now, we feel safe” Single Mother aged 19 from Afghanistan .
“I have to say that in the camp I’ve lived through hell. At a certain point I thought my life was coming to an end, and Tdh gave me the possibility to change that.” Male youth aged 20 from Syria. Refugees learn to design and use the 3D printer in the Mikri Polis Community Centre, Fab Lab. Photograph: Terre des hommes
Contact Financing needs for 2019 [Include a photo above and caption here]. Photograph: Terre des Matthias Wohlfeil, Country Delegate, Terre des hommes Greecehommes Total estimated budget: CHF 545,000 Meteoron 28, 11631, Agios Artemios, Athens Greece
E-Mail: [email protected] Mob: +30 6955 973078
Terre des hommes is Switzerland’s leading child relief agency. Every year our projects, carried out in over 35 countries, help more than 3 million children and their families in need of health care and protection and those affected by emergencies. www.tdh.ch
For more information, please visit: www.tdh.ch
[Include a photo above and caption here]. Photograph: Terre des hommes