PRAKSIS emergency interventions in assisting refugees
SUBMITTED FROM:
PRAKSIS whose main goal is the design, application and implementation of humanitarian programs and medical interventions, the elimination of social and economic exclusion of vulnerable social groups and the defense of their personal and social rights.
PRAKSIS has been supporting refugees from the very first moment on a 24/7 basis providing shelter, primary medical care, as well as legal and psychosocial support to the most vulnerable groups of refugees. PRAKSIS also provides food aid and Non Food Items (emergency and personal hygiene kits) to people on the move. The ultimate goal of PRAKSIS initiatives in support of refugees – apart from medical care, food aid and shelter – is the overall protection of the refugee population at risk aiming at securing their basic and indefeasible human rights.
Target Audience
PRAKSIS emergency interventions are in support of all people arriving in Greece through refugee and migration flows. At the same time, PRAKSIS provides shelter and supporting services to the most vulnerable cases, such as unaccompanied minors, shipwreck survivors, single-parent families or families with many members, pregnant women, families with infants, victims of trafficking, victims of torture, victims of abuse and people with chronic health problems. The “Relocation Scheme and Emergency Response” program of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) aims at providing accommodation, escort services and psychosocial support to people who have been enrolled in the relocation procedure as well as to particularly vulnerable cases of asylum seekers.
Duration
From July 2015 to date.
Description
PRAKSIS emergency interventions in assisting refugees fall into the following main categories:
MEDICAL SUPPORT
PRAKSIS has been implementing the Mobile Medical Units program in the islands of Samos, Leros, Kos, in Idomeni and at Piraeus port, carrying out primary medical care, medicines distribution and psychosocial support. The field team of the Mobile Medical Units comprises doctors, nurses, social workers, psychologists and interpreters.
Medical services at the refugee camp in Diavata.
PRAKSIS provides medical, psychosocial and legal services through its medical structures, the Athens Polyclinic, the Athens Solidarity Center and the Thessaloniki Polyclinic.
UNACCOMPANIED MINORS PROTECTION
Unaccompanied minors that are hosted in the following PRAKSIS structures have gone through long and distressing trips and are at risk of organ trafficking, sexual and labor exploitation. The focal point of PRAKSIS Accommodation Centers is to create a protective environment for the unaccompanied minors, away from all these risks, and with the proper shelter conditions and supporting services that correspond to the particular vulnerability of this group.
Transit Accommodation Centers for Unaccompanied Minors in Lesvos, Kos, Samos and Patra
Emergency Temporary Accommodation and Care for Unaccompanied Children at the Transit Camp in Mantamados, Lesvos
Accommodation Centers for Unaccompanied minors in Athens (2) and Patra (1)
In addition to the above, PRAKSIS implements a Care and Protection Program for Children on the Move in Lesvos, Samos and Chios (outreach groups, Child Friendly Spaces, support to the unaccompanied minors in detention centers).
FOOD AID AND SUPPORTING SERVICES AT THE FIRST RECEPTION SERVICE
Food aid and distribution of emergency and hygiene kits in Athens, Thessaloniki and Idomeni (on a 24/7 basis)
Emergency items distribution in Lesvos, Idomeni, Diavata, Thessaloniki, Herso, N. Kavala, Pieria and at the port of Thessaloniki
Rescue services at the shores of Lesvos on a 24/7 basis
Supporting services at the refugee camps in Northern Greece and Thessaloniki
Escort services program
ACCOMMODATION PROGRAMS FOR VULNERABLE GROUPS
Accommodation services, escort services and psychosocial support to people who have been enrolled in the relocation procedure as well as to particularly vulnerable cases of asylum seekers (Athens, Thessaloniki, Lesvos, Samos, Leros, Chios, Rodos, Pieria)
Accommodation services, escort services and psychosocial support to particularly vulnerable groups (Athens, Lesvos, Samos)
COOPERATION WITH THE FIRST RECEPTION SERVICE
PRAKSIS supports the Mobile Units of the First Reception Service with a field team that comprises medical doctors, nurses, psychologists, social workers and administrative staff, providing primary medical care, psychosocial care and identification of vulnerable cases (Lesvos, Chios, Leros, Kos, Orestiada)
Psychosocial support and recreational activities for unaccompanied minors (Lesvos, Chios, Samos, Elaionas)
Psychosocial, supporting and interpretation services (N. Kavala, Herso, port of Thessaloniki, Katerini, Nireas camp, Ktima Iraklis)
OTHER SERVICES
At the Day Centers for the Homeless and Refugees (Athens, Piraeus, Thessaloniki) the following services are being provided: primary medical care, pharmacy, personal hygiene services (showers and clothes washing), social services, labor counseling, clothes distribution from donations, library, children’s corner.
Legal services at the detention center in Korinthos and through PRAKSIS structures (Athens and Thessaloniki Polyclinics).
Advocacy: Targeted legal awareness raising campaigns, supporting the Asylum Services in terms of pre-registration procedures, access to listing procedures, advocacy at the Council of Europe concerning unaccompanied minors and exerting influence through European Parliament Members on the European Commission in order to shorten the reception procedures for refugees entitled to relocation.
All PRAKSIS programs are being implemented with the participation of employees (counting 730 people today compared to 140 people before the refugee crisis) and PRAKSIS volunteers (counting 1.100 people today compared to 500 people before the refugee crisis).