Support refugee mothers and newborns in Athens

Need

The problem is the severe lack of housing available to refugees in Athens. Outside of the closed camps, which are dangerous places for single women, especially those with children, there are few options for new mothers who have arrived in Greece. Most find themselves in precarious housing situations or sleeping in parks with their children. Without a stable place to live, it is nearly impossible for many refugee women to move forward or look to the future with confidence

Long term impact

Families move on after a year, or when they reach independence. Whilst we offer a short-term, practical solution, we also work to have a long term impact. The security of a safe home is accompanied by the work of our case managers, who provide support with: healthcare- advocating for women in hospital, entering employment, skills workshops, English lessons and support with claiming asylum. They empower women so that when their time with CRIBS comes to an end they are able to live independently.

About the Organization

CRIBS International is an experienced, longstanding and reputable NGO working in Athens, Greece. We focus on provision of the following: Refugee women and infant's housing project, Casework, psychologist, legal, medical and employment support, Community development work and a Free Shop for women and children ensuring distribution with dignity. At CRIBS International, our mission is to house and support refugee women who are in their final trimester of pregnancy or who have a new-born baby and have arrived in Greece, having fled conflict and exploitation. We provide this emergency support for the first 12 months of a baby's life to allow them to be born into a nurturing environment. CRIBS offers a lifeline to the women we support, many of whom are travelling alone and some being survivors of rape and sexual exploitation. When they reach Athens, despite being pregnant, the women receive no support from the authorities and are left to manage in any way they can as the state does not deem them vulnerable. Many become street homeless and prey to further abuse, or are forced into unsafe, closed camps with inadequate food, where violence is endemic and where health care facilities are almost non-existent. In the words of one of the women we support, 'When you arrive in Greece, it's difficult to restart your life with nothing'. By providing shelter, safety and support, we prevent homelessness and protect lives. More than this, we also work to empower women to begin to recover from trauma, to get back on their feet and to rebuild their life. Our goal is to provide the support needed to enable them to integrate into society, live independently and become part of the community to which circumstances have brought them.

Data Powered by