Better Days Greece designed an emergency response program for the most vulnerable children of the refugee community. We operate in Greece, focusing on identifying, communicating and registering unaccompanied minors (UAMs) who are cut off from support. Our program aims to find, register and support them with their basic needs through providing emergency and legal aid and support them with access to secured shelter, education, essential NFIs and psychosocial services.
Over 4000 unaccompanied children are known to be living in Greece. These children on the move are exposed to outrageous living conditions, sexual violence and trafficking. From their arrival, they face a shifting legal framework they must navigate for appropriate protection. The rights of UAMs can fall through the cracks due to the lack of guardianship and systematic access to legal assistance. Over 1000 UAMs live in insecure housing conditions throughout Greece deprived from critical aid.
Our team identifies and assesses the immediate needs of these forgotten children. Better Days' mission is to identify UAMs who have fallen through the cracks of the system and ensure they receive emergency support whether this is access to season appropriate clothing and gear, urgent medical care or on-going legal support for their asylum and reunification claims in Greece. Better Days also provides additional services including help with access to education and PSS support.
Through the ongoing support we provide whilst working with them, children's mental and physical health slowly improves. Longer-term, successful administration of their asylum cases, through reunification with their families or asylum in Greece, contributes to their wellbeing and opens them up to healing. Feeling psychologically and physically safe improves their ability to pursue education, and successfully integrate into their host community.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
