Over 1,000 unaccompanied children in Greece’s migrant camps are at risk of abuse and exploitation. This follows government cuts that reduced spaces in child accommodation centers from 2,500 to 1,500 earlier this year. Human rights groups warn that these children are living in unsafe conditions, violating their basic rights and exposing them to more harm.
Sofia Kouvelaki, head of the Home Project, an organization that helps refugee children, said the situation is urgent. She explained that children should not be staying in camps with adults, as this increases their risk of violence and makes their trauma worse.
A shocking case recently brought attention to the problem. A 16-year-old Egyptian boy in the Malakasa refugee camp near Athens said he was tied up, gagged, burned, and raped by six adult men. The attack happened in a container meant for unaccompanied children. Despite having private security in the camp, the crime still took place, showing how unsafe these camps are.
The number of migrants arriving in Greece has increased this year, making overcrowding worse. Official data shows that there were 57,363 asylum seekers in December, a 33% rise. The number of unaccompanied children has also grown, reaching 3,000 this year compared to 1,490 in 2023. According to the UN Refugee Agency, 13,000 children arrived in Greece by sea in 2024, a 50% increase from last year.
The Greek government is trying to secure funding to create 500 more spaces for vulnerable children, but this will take time. Until then, many children remain in unsafe camps where they are exposed to serious risks.
Kouvelaki and other advocates are calling for immediate action. They say these dangerous conditions add to the trauma that children have already experienced and make it harder for them to recover and integrate into society.
This crisis highlights the need for urgent support and better policies to protect unaccompanied children in Greece. They must be given safe spaces and proper care to rebuild their lives and stay safe from harm.