on the doors of charities and housing associations or set about looking for a ride to Macedonia.
Nancy Retinioti, who works for Doctors Without Borders, says the Greek system for handling new arrivals is completely overwhelmed.
“There are only around 1,000 housing units for refugees in Greece. That’s not enough.”
More than 69,000 migrants reached Greece in the first half of this year, dwarfing the 43,500 who came throughout the whole of 2014, according to the UN refugee agency.
And the numbers are increasing each month: 1,700 in January, 13,500 in April and 24,400 in June, with most people coming from Syria.
But the debt and austerity crisis menacing ordinary Greeks is also hitting the migrants.
“Before, those who gained refugee status could get a work permit. That’s been ended,” Retinioti said.
“Under the law they have access to the health system but they are facing administrative and language barriers. On top of that some doctors are demanding money to treat them, which is illegal,” she added.
Yannis Kalyvopoulos, a psychologist with Doctors Without Borders, said most of the migrants he came across were suffering from post-traumatic stress and depression.
“Many of the children have lost their parents or their relatives. They are traumatised, they’ve got sleeping problems.”
If they remain in such uncertain conditions, he warned “that will increase their symptoms. If they are in an environment that supports them, they will more easily integrate in their new country.” According to his colleague Retinioti, many have already made up their minds.
“These people are no longer seeking asylum in Greece. With the crisis they cannot see a future here,” she says.
Three days after their arrival, Deen is no longer answering his phone. He and his family have moved on in search of brighter prospects.
A plane seen on fire in this screengrab.— Instagram@warriednut/File WASHINGTON: An American Airlines jet caught fire...
President Vladimir Putin.— AFP/File MOSCOW: President Vladimir Putin on Friday called on beleaguered Ukrainian...
A river seen in Italy. — AFP/File ROME: Heavy rain swelled rivers and flooded streets in Florence on Friday, with...
An undated image shows screens showing broadcasts are seen through a window at the BBC headquarters of New...
An image of a Greenland coast. — AFP/File COPENHAGEN: The leaders of all Greenland´s political parties on Friday...
UN chief Antonio Guterres meets with Rohingya refugees in Cox's Bazar. — AFP/File COX’S BAZAR, Bangladesh: UN...