In collaboration with 19 NGOs in Greece, Terre des hommes Hellas has co-signed a joint statement addressing the concerning interruption of cash assistance for asylum seekers. The cash assistance program, financed under the EU Asylum, Migration, and Integration Fund (AMIF), is essential for ensuring that asylum seekers can meet their basic needs and maintain a dignified standard of living.
The statement highlights the severe impact of delayed cash assistance on thousands of individuals, including vulnerable families, who have been left without support for months. Despite messages informing beneficiaries of delays, there has been no public explanation from the Ministry of Migration and Asylum regarding the cause or expected resolution. Many asylum seekers, especially those in remote camps with limited access to essential services, are struggling to cover basic expenses such as food and healthcare.
The signatories call on the Greek government to immediately resume payments, ensure backdated payments for the months missed, and improve the management of EU funds to meet the legal obligations toward asylum seekers. This collective effort emphasizes the urgent need to restore financial support and safeguard the dignity and rights of asylum seekers in Greece.
In 2023, Terre des hommes Hellas completed the DIGNIFY project, providing more than €268,000 in supermarket vouchers to 665 vulnerable individuals, 60% of whom were children. DIGNIFY addressed the urgent needs of families outside the formal protection system or those not yet registered. In addition to vouchers for essential goods such as food and hygiene items, the project offered psychosocial support and referrals to specialized services when needed. Terre des hommes Hellas continues to pursue the implementation of similar programs to support vulnerable populations, particularly in light of the increasing need caused by the interruption of cash assistance.
