The

Piji Protopsaltis, Coordinator of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children Title: Refugee Crisis

Refugee Situation: Arrivals 2015 More than refugees and migrants have arrived in Europe by sea in 2015; 20% of refugees are children; refugees have lost their life or disappeared; arrivals on a daily basis in Greece; arrivals only in one week by the end of October; Most refugees come from Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, Sudan, Somalia, Erithrea, Malawi; Syrians have fled from the country and are residing in neighboring countries (Turkey, Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon); applications have been made in request for asylum in Europe by Syrians; 2,6 million people have been pushed by ISIS attacks in Iraq; 1,5 million people in Sudan have been displaced since the outbreak of the war in the country.

Mediterranean Situation: Arrivals Jan Oct 2015

Mediterranean Situation: Number of Arrivals per 100 habitants

Vulnerable Main Routes to Europe Source:European Commission; Eurostat; International Centre for Migration Policy Development; International Organization for Migration; UNHCR)

a Refugee and migrant children in vulnerable situations Testimonies of abuse and sexual violence against refugee and migrant women and children on the move in Europe; Refugee and migrant children moving in Europe are at heightened risk of violence and abuse, including sexual violence; Refugee and migrant women travelling on their own are also at heightened risk as they move through Europe; Unaccompanied children can be particularly vulnerable as they lack the protection and care of an adult; Children are exposed to violence from law enforcement authorities or on grounds of ethnic dsicrimination; Children and infants are suffering from poor hygiene and lack of access to food and heat; Children and infants are losing their lives in the sea exposed to perilous journeys by traffickers.

What “The Smile of the Child” does

WELFARE WELFARE INTERVENTION MEDICAL CARE

DIRECT INTERVENTION

Immediate management of emergency cases (ex. unaccompanied minors, refugee children) through direct intervention; Immediate management of emergency cases (ex. unaccompanied minors, refugee children) through direct intervention; Reception and referral of reports to competent authorities; Reception and referral of reports to competent authorities; Counseling; Counseling; Activation of all the services of the Organization in the case of a missing child either nationally or on a cross-border level; Activation of all the services of the Organization in the case of a missing child either nationally or on a cross-border level; Guidance through Information Desks on child trafficking. Guidance through Information Desks on child trafficking. DIRECT INTERVENTION: what we do More Information, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year More Information, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year National Helpline for Children SOS 1056 European Hotline for Missing Children

WELFARE WELFARE

WELFARE: what we do WELFARE: what we do Provisional shelter for children and cooperation with the competent authorities on family reunification; Provisional shelter for children and cooperation with the competent authorities on family reunification; Shelter for children in the Community Homes of the Organization in cases of absence of parents or other family members; Shelter for children in the Community Homes of the Organization in cases of absence of parents or other family members; Shelter of families in appropriate places; Shelter of families in appropriate places; Material, psychological and emotional support to cover basic needs of children and their families; Material, psychological and emotional support to cover basic needs of children and their families; Facilitation of language obstacles through the provision of interpretation services to refugee children and their family members thanks to volunteers of our Organization; Facilitation of language obstacles through the provision of interpretation services to refugee children and their family members thanks to volunteers of our Organization; Assistance in view of obtaining appropriate documentation by facilitating contact of migrant children and their families with the relevant authorities within Greece and abroad. Assistance in view of obtaining appropriate documentation by facilitating contact of migrant children and their families with the relevant authorities within Greece and abroad.

MEDICAL CARE

MEDICAL CARE: what we do Mobile Medical Units upon the arrival of refugee and migrant children in the country, immediate medical transportation, etc. Mobile Medical Units upon the arrival of refugee and migrant children in the country, immediate medical transportation, etc. Preventive medical exams, and in some cases therapies, for children; Preventive medical exams, and in some cases therapies, for children; Care to children hospitalized for medical or other reasons at pediatric hospitals and establishments across Greece; Care to children hospitalized for medical or other reasons at pediatric hospitals and establishments across Greece; Support to children that suffer from chronic or non-chronic medical problems. Support to children that suffer from chronic or non-chronic medical problems.

The story of Elizabeth from Eritrea Elizabeth, a refugee from Eritrea, was saved when the wooden boat that she was on board, along with other refugees, sunk off ashore of Rhodes island. She was pregnant and finally was rescued by the desperate efforts of a military officer Antonis Deligiorgis. When she gave birth to a baby boy a few weeks later, she named the baby Antonis, honoring her rescuer. Elizabeth found a safe living environement and a family to support her in one of the Homes of “The Smile of The Child”.

The story of Tala from Syria Tala was a 4-year-old girl from Syria who was located in the Greek-Turkish borders. She was found next to her dead father who tried to protect his daughter from the cold, while trying to cross Greece and ensure a better and safe future in Europe. “The Smile of the Child” took care of Tala and provided her with a home, care and love. At the same time and in cooperation with national and international authorities the mother of the child was located in Syria. After 4 months the family reunification took place in Thessaloniki, Greece. “The Smile of the Child” provided the family with a home and all the necessary support. Today the family lives safe in Germany.

Response Plan of “The Smile of the Child”: Main Goal The primary goal of “The Smile of the Child” is to provide assistance to children that go missing during their transit or stay in Greece, as well as their journey to the final destination country, and facilitate re-unification with their family members as well as their protection as they are exposed to different kinds of risks.

Response Plan of “The Smile of the Child”: The Concept Information Desks will be established that will: 1.Provide help and assistance through the operation of the European Hotline for Missing Children in partnership with public authorities; 2.Make available information at entry points and main reception centres; 3.Raise awareness among refugees and migrants in order to ensure prevention and encourage reporting on cases of missing children.

Response Plan of “The Smile of the Child”: Additional tools Info-boards at the main entry points of migrants and refugees, as well as at the reception centers, sharing information on the Hotline (ways of access, help and assistance, missing posters, etc.). Info-boards at the main entry points of migrants and refugees, as well as at the reception centers, sharing information on the Hotline (ways of access, help and assistance, missing posters, etc.). Amber Alert Hellas; Amber Alert Hellas; European Child Alert Automated System (ECAAS); European Child Alert Automated System (ECAAS); Missing Persons Posters Missing Persons Posters In the case of a missing child in Greece the Amber Alert Hellas mechanism is activated through the European Child Alert Automated System (ECAAS) and the poster of the missing child is made public.

THANK YOU! “The Smile of the Child” Tel: