Athens mayor vows to create more accommodation for refugees
Athens municipal authorities are pledging to expand the Greek capital's refugee shelter capacity, while extra accommodation will be provided in a seaside children's summer camp.
About 10,000 refugees and migrants are living in shelters in and around Athens, most of which are operating at full capacity.
Mayor Giorgos Kaminis said Thursday that city authorities are providing an additional plot that will allow the expansion of the central Elaionas shelter, where about 700 migrants live in prefabricated houses.
Kaminis said municipal authorities "will not accept" the creation of informal camps in city parks, squares and streets, where migrants have camped in the past.
He also appealed for greater central government support, saying that securing humane living conditions for migrants must be balanced with maintaining standards for Athenians.
[AP]
