Greece
Victim Assistance
There is no report on the total number of mine/explosive remnant of war (ERW) survivors living in the Hellenic Republic (Greece).
There were no economic reintegration opportunities or psychological support resources for survivors who were injured in minefields in Greece. The main coordination body regarding disability policy at the national level is the Ministry of Labour, Social Insurance, and Social Solidarity, which is in charge of social protection, policy for assessment of disability, and pensions. The Ministry of Health regulates policy related to healthcare as well as the organization of health and social care establishments.[1] Most landmine survivors injured in Greece were asylum seekers or illegal immigrants who face precarious situations and could not always access services.[2] A number of NGOs operate in Greece, many of which provide services on the ground for persons with disabilities among refugees and asylum seekers, including mine/ERW survivors.[3]
Greece ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) on 30 May 2012.
[1] Academic Network of European Disability experts (ANED), “Greece country profile,” undated.
[2] Niki Kitsantonis, “Land mines and a perilous crossing into Greece,” New York Times, 6 January 2009.
[3] INVgr, “Selected charities and NGOs in Greece,” undated.