Greece – France’s contribution through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (2 Jun. 2020)

Greece has requested support via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism to improve vulnerable populations’ access to primary healthcare services and limit the health risks posed by the Covid-19 pandemic amid the arrival of large numbers of migrants on its soil.

In response, France is shipping four containers of medical supplies by sea today. Departing from the port of Le Havre, this equipment will make it possible to set up a mobile clinic managed by the Greek authorities on the island of Chios. Facilitated by the Embassy of France to Greece, this operation reflects France’s solidarity with Greece, which is dealing with an influx of migrants and asylum seekers.

This equipment, which should arrive in Piraeus at the end of June, is being transported with the assistance of the CMA CGM Foundation, which has a partnership agreement with the Crisis and Support Center of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. This is the first operation made possible under that agreement. The CMA CGM Foundation has also agreed to ship 700 kilos of medicine offered by the Tulipe association, to be used by the healthcare workers operating the mobile clinic.

In addition, the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs is continuing its support for NGOs that are developing humanitarian programs for migrants and asylum seekers on the Greek islands.