The European Commission is preparing an emergency plan for Greece and other countries on the Balkan corridor, in order to avert a humanitarian crisis. According to the Athens-Macedonia News Agency, the plan is expected be approved on Wednesday and will have a budget over 500 million euros.
EC spokesperson Mina Andreeva explained that the president of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker requested such a plan after meeting with Greek PM Alexis Tsipras in Brussels, in late February.
Mrs. Andreeva added that the emergency plan will address the current and future needs of Greece and other countries on the Balkan corridor, in relation to receiving refugees, human resources, financial and material support.
A report in Belgian newspaper De Standaard also reveals that the European Commission will provide funding to the UNHCR, which in turn will use them to set up refugee camps in Greece.
The Minister of Migration Policy Yannis Mouzalas commented that the Greek government is taking all precautions, as if the borders have been shut down indefinitely. Mr. Mouzalas noted that 450 million euros have been requested to accommodate the refugees who are expected to be ‘trapped’ in Greece.
