Through the proposed programme, IOM will provide AVRR assistance to migrants in situations of vulnerability, expressing the will to return to their country of origin. The target will particularly consist of 290 cases of migrants in situations of vulnerability, identified primarily at the Greek borders, and shall include, among others, single parent families, victims of trafficking, migrants with health-related needs, UMCs and elderly migrants. Beneficiaries will receive effective and comprehensive assistance, based on the experience and lessons learned acquired by IOM throughout the years of AVRR operations.

The project will provide expert support to the Greek Asylum Service and provide free legal aid to vulnerable asylum seekers related to first instance asylum procedures. The following two activities shall be supported:

The project will strengthen the capacity of key government institutions in Greece, to uphold the rights of refugees and migrants and ensure dignified reception. The project will reduce the Reception and Identification Service’s (RIS) dependency of the international community to ensure dignified reception, child protection and site management and strengthen the capacity of the National Center for Social Solidarity (EKKA), to ensure protection of vulnerable asylum seekers, particularly survivors of human trafficking and unaccompanied minors.