A total of 14,429 Ukrainian citizens have crossed the border into Greece since the start of the war, of whom 4,580 are minors, according to the Ministry of Civil Protection, based on data from the Hellenic Police Headquarters.
On March 25, 278 Ukrainian refugees entered Greece, of which 74 were minors.
Specifically, 162 entered from Promachonas, 9 from Evzoni, 43 from other land borders, while 64 arrived at the “Eleftherios Venizelos” airport.
Greece’s Minister of Migration and Asylum Notis Mitarakis reiterated that his country was willing and prepared to take in more Ukrainian refugees who are fleeing their country due to Russia’s ongoing invasion, in a speech to parliament on Tuesday (March 22). “We are ready for the hospitality arrangements. And we are ready to register people and provide them with temporary protection,” Mitaraki announced.
“The national reception system has the immediate availability of 15,000 beds”, Mitarakis said.
13,000 refugees from Ukraine arrived so far
Mitarakis went on to say that Greece has already welcomed a total of 13,000 Ukrainian refugees.
“We have created a reception center in Promachonas, the main entry point; we have created a special entrance lane and have quickly renovated an old building in order to have a proper reception area, with the presence of more medical support, plus hot drinks, food, and a warm welcome,” said Mitarakis.
Greece has several hosting structures ready to welcome Ukrainians, the minister said. One in Sintiki, which is a new facility that is used for the first few days for those who arrive from Promachonas, which is only five kilometers from the border.
In addition, Mitarakis said the government had set up the facilities at Elefsina and Serres to host Ukrainians, with 15,000 beds available initially, which could be gradually increased, if necessary, to 30,000.
He explained that the ministry would create an electronic pre-registration platform which will be operational starting on March 28 to allow all potential beneficiaries to transfer their basic data and to receive a personalized appointment at the Asylum Service Offices.
He added that the process of issuing a temporary protection ID will start “on April 4 at the Regional Asylum Offices of Thessaloniki, Attica, Patras and Crete.”
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