ESTIA - A new chapter in the lives of refugees in Greece
UNHCR works with the Greek Government, local authorities and NGOs to provide urban accommodation and cash assistance to refugees and asylum-seekers in Greece through ESTIA, the Emergency Support to Integration and Accommodation programme, funded by the European Union Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid.
Urban accommodation provides a normal everyday life for refugees and asylum seekers in Greece, facilitates their access to services, including education, and the eventual integration for those who will remain in the country. The host population also benefits from embracing diversity through peaceful coexistence as well as the renting of their apartments.
Cash assistance restores dignity and empowers refugees and asylum-seekers who can now choose how to cover their basic everyday needs. It also contributes directly to the economy of the host community through the purchase of services and goods.
Types of Accommodation
- Apartments (81.6%)
- Hotels (4.1%)
- Buildings (14.1%)
- Host family programmes (0.2%)
- Islands (6.7%)
- Attica region (61.2%)
- Central Greece (3.6%)
- Northern Greece (22%)
- Western Greece (4.8%)
- Crete (1.7%)
As of 18 October 2017
*Actual capacity is calculated as the sum of hosted population in occupied units and the number of places corresponding to empty units. The rule applies only for apartments.
Greece: For refugees, an island of hope
On the tiny Greek island of Tilos, population 700, 10 families from war-torn Syria have found refuge and work and a sense of community. UNHCR and its partner Solidarity Now, with European Commission Funding support, have been providing accommodation and language and education classes for adults and children for almost a year. Many of the refugees –all of whom have been granted refugee status and have the right to work – say they want to stay on the Dodecanese island, and the islanders say they are honoured to host them.