Migrant children are at risk of poor health and abuse – that is the assessment of UNICEF. The UN aid agency has described a desperate situation developing along Greece’s northern border which has been unilaterally closed by its neighbour. Infants, it says are suffering from a lack of food, sanitation and face risks of abuse or separation.
“Unilateral decisions in terms of closing the border bring chaos. This situation is inching towards a humanitarian crisis and Greece cannot be left alone to deal with this, “ said UN High Commissioner Barbar Baloch.
In response the European Union has launched a new aid programme worth an initial 700 million euros ($760 million) that mirrors the kind of disaster relief it offers developing nations. EU officials have said the aid plan will allocate 300m euros this year to help any EU state deal with the migration crisis. The 700m euros will be made available over three years.
The money, to be spent in conjunction with the UN in both Greece and other EU nations, will help to fund shelter, medical aid and other basic services.
However, the EU also wants Turkey to slow the influx of refugees and migrants and the bloc wants Ankara to ensure that daily arrivals fall below 1,000 from 2,000-3,000 at present.
