A recent conference on Greece's National Emergency Response Mechanism (NERM), organised by the Special Secretariat for the Protection of Unaccompanied Minors (SSPUAM), the UNHCR Representation in Greece and Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences, saw the presentation of two important publications. These two publications focus on the successes, challenges and findings of NERM and the situation of unaccompanied migrant children (UAC) in Greece. 

The Study on homeless unaccompanied children in Greece, published in October 2022 by Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences, focuses on research - in the form of interviews with 251 UAC - carried out from February to October 2020. Key findings presented include:

• The majority of UAC live on the street due to a lack of accommodation facilities.
• 71% of UAC said they prefer to stay in organised accommodation with other children.
• There is limited knowledge among UAC about their rights as children and, specifically, as UAC.
• There is a lack of information available to UAC about how to navigate asylum procedures and their legal status.
• There are high levels of feelings of insecurity and a lack of protection among the UAC interviewed.
• Many UAC feel they are not able to actively participate in matters concerning their own lives.

The children interviewed expressed the desire to enjoy access to basic needs (shelter; food; safety; education), to receive confirmation of their legal status in Greece, and to be appointed a psychosocial support person with whom they can maintain regular contact.

The National Emergency Response Mechanism: A safety net for unaccompanied children identified in precarious living conditions guide, issued in November 2022, covers the services, actions and processes of NERM (the main objective of which is to identify and respond immediately to the needs of homeless UAC). More specifically, NERM:

• runs a 24/7 tracing line for identifying children in need and providing guidance to children, citizens, local and public authorities on supporting UAC;
• finds placements for UAC in special emergency accommodation facilities;
• provides material and psychosocial support, interpretation services and guidance with official registration procedures;
• follows Standard Operational Procedures (SOPs) and conducts a Best Interest Assessment (BIA) for all UAC;
• ensures proper registration and protection of unaccompanied and separated children from Ukraine arriving in Greece (such as BIA assessments at borders);
• coordinates information desks in Athens and Thessaloniki.