The President of the National Center for Social Solidarity (EKKA) Periklis Tziaras has expressed his concern over the huge number of unaccompanied refugee children who are being kept in detention facilities due to a lack of room in suitable hospitality centers.

In an interview to Vima 99.5 FM, Mr. Tziaras revealed that there are 76 children currently in detention centers, where they may remain for a week or even up to a month.

According to the EKKA president there are 1,400 children in the waiting lists, however there is only space for 650. The situation, he estimated, will only be resolved with additional space and funding. In order to house 40 children, about 20 staff members and 350,000 euros in funding are necessary, he further explained.