In many places humanitarian aid looks very different today. Instead of distributing packages, CARE and other organizations are also handing out debit cash cards. Why? Refugees can meet their basic needs and decide for themselves what they need most. At the same time it supports the local economy.
Asylum seekers registered with the national authorities in Greece have the right to work, however, more than 25,000 people in Greece are not fully and officially registered yet. In practice, both registered and non-registered refugees face enormous difficulties finding a job in Greece.
“I have been looking for a job for the past four months. Sometimes I eat at places where they distribute food for refugees, but not always. At least now, I can buy food”
As a result of the economic crisis in Greece, the unemployment level has reached 25 per cent. For refugees, there are additional barriers such as the language accessing information , and obstacles to recognition of university diplomas from their home countries. As a direct result, people continue to rely on humanitarian assistance to meet their basic needs, often feeling overwhelmed and frustrated. Cash, however, has a chance to be a much more flexible way of support than the traditional items or food distributions, providing people we work with and for a choice .
“The first thing I will do when I receive the cash is go to the supermarket. I want to buy food and clothes for me and my little daughter”
Reza, a recently recognized refugee himself, who is now part of CARE’s cash team, underlines the importance of the cash distribution for asylum seekers: “Refugees are in a special psychological situation. They left their countries with the dream for a better life and a safe place, but now they find themselves again in a different kind of hell. It is like a jail. They have no clue what will happen to them and have no money left to support themselves. Cash distributions are giving them back a little bit of dignity, the dignity the war and now this situation have taken away from them”.
"In Syria I had some acres where I was cultivating the land. I had a good life. I had everything. Now my family has to live in despicable conditions. I am paying this house alone until now, but we don’t have a lot of money anymore."
CARE’s cash assistance aims to reach 3500 asylum applicants addressing their basic needs, while simultaneously helping the Greek local economy, which has been devastated by the recent economic crisis. However, cash assistance is only a short term assistance for those in desperate need. There are tens of thousands of refugees who are waiting in limbo to be relocated to other European countries. Long term projects promoting integration, including access into the national labor market, are therefore urgently needed.
“This apartment belongs to a friend who is currently travelling. Before, I used to live in a squat and after my friend comes back I have to go back to the squat. It is the first week after two years we are sleeping in an apartment. With the cash we are receiving we can now buy food and other things we urgently need. But I hope I will find a job very soon.”
By Vangi Dora
About CARE in Greece: With 70 years of experience and long-term presence in many of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable countries, CARE takes a comprehensive approach to emergency response: first by working with communities to prepare for and mitigate the impact of disasters; then by partnering with local groups to provide immediate assistance when an emergency hits; and finally by working with affected communities to help them recover after the crisis has passed. With the influx of refugees to Europe, CARE is providing emergency assistance to refugees stranded in Greece, including cash, protection and accommodation. The project is funded by the European Commission and the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as the Austrian Fundraising Coalition "Neighbors in Need.
Find out more about our work in Greece here.