The campaign, titled "Every Child is One of Ours", has been co-organized by Solidarity for All organization, the '105,5FM in Red' radio station, portokaliradio.gr and the Coordination of Social Welfare and Pharmacies of Attica. "Following the latest developments and the continuing war in Syria, refugee flows have increased, and despite the efforts made so far and the real solidarity that has taken place here, the situation remains difficult.," said the KFPL. "There is a lack of food and personal hygiene, so the need to fill the gap created is immediate." The statement added: "We call on everyone to support the structures and networks of social solidarity that continue to struggle and organize through the collective action of citizens' movements and unions, to take action together - until a better solution has been found to the problem.
The KFPL stated that as a first step the campaign aimed to provide an immediate solution to the current problem and cover the needs of the 150 children and their families living in Lavrio, while it would "continue to fight together, for a society without racism and xenophobia, for a society of equality and reciprocity." "The prosperity and coexistence of all people remains our long-standing goal. Building trust and solidarity is a step in that direction", they added.
Donations will be accepted May 21-June 15
The KFPL will be accepting donations of various products from Monday, May 21 to Friday June 15, while it would also be collecting food, toiletries, and detergents in 15 locations within Attica. The list of items needed are as follows: Foods: rice, spaghetti, sunflower oil, flour, legumes, sugar, tea, toasted bread, groats, pellets, long-life milk, first and second-born infant milk; Personal hygiene items: baby diapers for all ages, baby wipes, sanitary napkins, shampoos, soaps, toothpaste, toothbrushes, sponges, universal cleaners and detergents. Anyone wishing to make donations and to find out the locations of other collection points are encouraged to contact the following: dypla.blogspot.gr or dyppla@gmail.com. Here is also a link to their Facebook page:
https://goo.gl/Ax2YBQ
Eight percent of EU's minors applied for asylum in Greece
In related developments, new figures released by the EU said 2,500 unaccompanied minors applied for asylum in Greece last year, which is around 8 percent of the total of 31,400 child refugees who sought asylum in EU countries.Italy received a relatively large proportion of of applications - more than 10,000, or 32 percent of the total.
They were closely followed by Germany with 9,100 (29 percent). The United Kingdom received 2,200 applications (7 percent), while Austria had 1,400 (4 percent), Sweden 1,300 and the Netherlands 1,200. Overall, the number of unaccompanied minors seeking asylum in EU countries in 2017 almost halved compared to 2016, when there were 63,200 applications. Having said that, the total number of applications in the EU in 2017 was still double the annual average of 12,000 between 2008 and 2013.
