Unblock access to asylum for 100 families

I am delighted to share the progress and achievements of our initiative aimed at assisting 100 asylum-seeking families who recently arrived in Greece.

Thanks to your generous contributions, we made significant strides in two critical areas: facilitating access to the asylum procedure and providing interim emergency support.

1. Overcoming Asylum Procedure Obstacles: With your support, we successfully guided 100 families through the complex and daunting asylum application process. Our dedicated team of caseworkers provided one-on-one consultations, helping to demystify the procedure and find workarounds to technical glitches to the online asylum platform and other bureaucratic obstacles. I am proud to report that more than 100 families successfully initiated their asylum applications, thereby exercising their right to request international protection. They are now awaiting the next stages of the process. 

1. Emergency Food and Housing Support: We implemented an emergency support program that provided food and temporary housing while these families waited for the documentation they needed to access a refugee camp. This initiative was crucial in ensuring the well-being and safety of the families at risk of homelessness, hunger, and exploitation while waiting for the opportunity to exercise their international right to apply for asylum. Through partnerships with local organizations and suppliers, we were able to provide nutritious food baskets and secure temporary accommodations, offering a safe haven for families during their first and most vulnerable weeks in Greece. 

Impact: The impact of your donations is seen in the relieved smiles of parents who know their children will sleep safely at night, and in the gratitude of individuals who now have hope for a secure future. Specifically, your support acheived:

• More than 100 vulnerable families received comprehensive assistance, facilitating their asylum applications and improving their chances of success.
• Emergency housing and food rovisions were extended to each family, guaranteeing their safety and survival during the transitional phase. 
• Children within these families had access to educational and recreational activies run by professionals trained in trauma-informed care, helping them adapt to their new surroundings and regain a sense of normarlcy. 
• Regional bus tickets were provided to every family who needed to travel far from Athens for their in-person asylum interview.
• Funding report: Although we fell short of raising our total project budget through this GlobalGiving mircroproject, we were able to supplement your donations with funding from a grant, which enabled us to deliver on 100% of our committments. 

Moving Forward: While we have acheived the goals of this project, our work is far from over. The journey towards a secure and stable life for these families continues, and we remain committed to supporting them every step of the way. We are actively seeking additional funds to extend our support services and reach even more families in need.

Heartfelt Thanks: I'd like to express my deepest gratitude to you for making this project a reality. Together, we are illuminating pathways to living in safety and dignity for people who have survived unimaginable hardships in their home countries. Your support has not only changed lives but has also fostered a spirit of global solidarity and compassion.

If you have any questions or require further information about this project, please reach out to me at chloe.esposito@lighthouserelief.org or +306943757013. I am always eager to engage with our dedicated supporters. 

Links:

• See our main project on Global Giving
• Visit our website