Latest news with #MinistryofMigrationandAsylum
Al-Ahram Weekly
5 days ago
- Business
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Egypt and Greece strengthen cooperation on immigration issues
Egyptian Ambassador to Greece, Omar Amer Youssef, discussed strengthening cooperation in migration management between Egypt and Greece with Greek Minister of Migration and Asylum Thanos Plevris on Wednesday, 16 July. The meeting was held at the headquarters of the Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum in Athens. Youssef congratulated the Minister of Immigration on his new position, emphasising the embassy's commitment and readiness to continue bilateral cooperation to serve the Egyptian community in Greece. He also emphasised that the embassy will work closely with Greek authorities to resolve any legal issues affecting Egyptian citizens in Greece or Egyptian workers. Furthermore, Youssef asserted that the embassy prioritises safeguarding the rights of Egyptian citizens and labour in Greece by exhorting adherence to the rules and laws governing labour recruitment. Such adherence avoids any risks to the lives of Egyptian citizens and workers that might result from irregular migration, he noted. In return, Plevris confirmed that Greece intends to expand the scope of the seasonal labour agreement to include the construction and tourism sectors. He noted that Egyptian labour is the most qualified and suitable workforce for the Greek business sector. In addition, Plevris emphasised the depth of Egyptian-Greek relations and his deep appreciation for Egypt's position and role in maintaining security and stability in the region. During the meeting, the two sides praised the high level of existing bilateral cooperation between Egypt and Greece. They thoroughly discussed the issue of irregular migration and the efforts to enhance returns, one of the Ministry of Migration and Asylum's major priorities. Plevris informed Youssef of the need for more effective cooperation in the field of returns as a prerequisite for further strengthening legal migration. He explained to him that a team from the Greek Ministry of Immigration and Asylum is currently in Egypt to continue the technical dialogue on strengthening the bilateral agreement on the legal transfer of agricultural workers. At the end of the meeting, Egypt's ambassador extended an official invitation to the Minister of Immigration and Asylum to visit Cairo, which Plevris accepted, to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in migration management. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Al Etihad
23-06-2025
- Climate
- Al Etihad
Greek firefighters battle large fires on Chios, 16 villages evacuated
23 June 2025 08:51 ATHENS (dpa)Firefighters were battling large fires on the Greek island of Chios on Sunday, with local authorities saying 11 firefighting planes and helicopters had been deployed to contain the public radio station ERT reported that 16 villages had to be evacuated due to heavy smoke.A large reception and registration camp for migrants was also evacuated. A total of 629 refugees were brought to safety and will remain in a sports hall for as long as necessary, the Ministry of Migration and Asylum national weather service said that the smoke was so thick that it could be seen from satellites, releasing video footage showing the extent of the fire brigade said that units from other regions of the country were rushing to Chios to fight the flames, which are being fanned by strong winds. Authorities suspect arson. Fire brigade and police experts are investigating reports that fires broke out at three locations on Chios within a few minutes, Greek public radio reported.
Saudi Gazette
08-04-2025
- Health
- Saudi Gazette
Six cases of child malnutrition found in Samos migrant camp, medical charity says
ATHENS — A medical charity working in Greece says it has diagnosed six children living in a migrant facility on the eastern island of Samos as suffering from malnutrition, the first time its doctors have made such a diagnosis since the facility opened in 2021. The Greek section of Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said its staff had diagnosed the children, aged between 6 months and 6 years, with moderate to severe acute malnutrition and in need of immediate medical intervention. "Children make up about 25% of the (camp's) population, yet paediatric care remains insufficient, not only within the centre but on the entire island of Samos," MSF Greece's Director General Christina Psarra said in a news release. The six children, from Afghanistan and Syria, all arrived in the camp with their families within the last two to three months and it was not possible to determine whether they had already been suffering from malnutrition before they arrived, Psarra said. However, "definitely the conditions in the camp have made things more difficult and have had an aggravating effect," she said. Asked about the MSF claims, the Ministry of Migration and Asylum said it would release a response later on Monday. Psarra said that while meals were provided for the camp's residents, the diet "is not nutritious for children of this age." The situation was exacerbated by the severance nine months ago of a stipend provided to asylum seekers in Greece, which had allowed them to purchase fresh food and other basic necessities, she added. Officially designated as a "closed controlled access centre," the European Union-funded migrant camp in Samos, built on a hillside about eight kilometres from the island's main port of Vathy, was opened in 2021 to replace a massively overcrowded camp that had developed on the town's fringes. The camp, which is guarded by police and private security, has a capacity of 3,664 people and as of Monday, was housing 3,176 people, according to the Ministry of Migration and Asylum. Psarra noted that the children had already endured gruelling journeys to arrive in Samos, and conditions inside the camp exacerbated their medical situation. Rights groups have reported dire conditions in the camp in Samos, including poor sanitation and a shortage of running water. "They are children who have been through painful journeys. They have had many difficulties in arriving," Psarra said of the malnourished children on Samos. "The conditions in the camp makes it even worse." Greece lies on one of the most popular routes into the EU for people fleeing conflict and poverty in Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Many make the short but treacherous boat journey from the Turkish coast to nearby Greek islands like Samos, often in small, unseaworthy inflatable dinghies. Last week, at least seven people, including three children, died near the Greek island of Lesbos after the inflatable dinghy they were traveling in sank. Another 23 people survived and were taken to a migrant camp in Lesbos. — Euronews
