INTERSOS Hellas, Greek Forum of Migrants and Greek Forum of Refugees address a Call to Action
The current COVID-19 crisis has put healthcare under tremendous pressure. COVID-19 has greatly impacted undocumented migrants in Greece. For undocumented people, who are excluded from the health systems, the pandemic has exacerbated preexisting conditions of social exclusion and destitution
International and EU bodies have recommended addressing marginalized communities, including migrants in situations of vulnerability, in national vaccination strategies. The Greek government has reassured that the coronavirus vaccine will be available free of charge for all-in the country. In Greece, however, it is not possible for vulnerable groups, and more specifically for undocumented migrants, to register for vaccination. There is no procedure to overcome the absence of the necessary documentation. In addition to that, protection from immigration control consequences of getting the vaccines is not guaranteed. Thus, so far, there is no provision for their vaccination.
Without proper action, the pandemic will continue to have a disproportionate impact on all marginalized groups. The situation constitutes an urgent need of finding a solution for that vulnerable groups since the issue of public health concerns us all in the context of the protection of human life. The reality of the pandemic allows to raise the critical issues of access to health protection services, whose media sharing will act as a driving force for advocacy activities, besides increasing the awareness, solidarity, and popular participation in the campaign theme.
INTERSOS Hellas, GFM and GFR are inviting anyone interested to join the campaign and sign this call. COVID-19 vaccine must be available for all!
Learn more at the campaign’s official Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/vaccinesforallgr
During the first lockdown (March – May 2020), we found out that many people from refugee and migrant communities were immediately confronted with the dire consequences of the pandemic, not having access to very basic goods such as food. The outbreak of this crisis triggered the reflexes of our association, in an immediate manner, that in turn launched an effort to raise funds to support the people.
This effort was implemented through a funding campaign (https://www.giveandfund.com/giveandfund/project/COVID-19-Greek-Forum-of-Refugees-Association) that attracted the interest of many different parties. The Greek Forum of Refugees mobilized civil society, refugee and migrant communities and all individuals who were willing to help, coordinating a wide network of volunteers, with the aim of rapidly and systematically distributing supermarket vouchers, medicines and food to people that needed the support. Famous organizations such as the European Program for Integration and Migration (EPIM), the Open Society Foundation (OSF), as well as friends of the organization joined this effort.
The culmination of this effort came on December 10, 2020, World Human Rights Day, where the European Civic Forum, a pan-European network of 104 organizations from 24 different countries, awarded the Greek Forum of Refugees and, specifically, Mr. Moussa Sangare, Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors and President of the Ivorian community in Greece, for our action during the pandemic period in the context of the relentless defense of human rights.