Migrant families reunited in UK after being rescued from Greek camps

A total of 50 people, including children, had got stranded in unsanitary camps during the pandemic.

Dozens of vulnerable migrants, including children, have been reunited with their families in the UK as part of an unprecedented rescue operation.

A total of 50 migrants who feared they would never see their loved ones again were flown from Athens to London today. British and Greek authorities worked together on the operation, after many found themselves stranded in Greece when flights between the countries were halted due to the pandemic in mid-March.

The rescue mission was the result of months of tireless efforts by their families in the UK, supported by charity Safe Passage International and Labour peer Lord Alf Dubs. Many had been stuck for months or even years in overcrowded, insanitary and often dangerous conditions in refugee camps on the Greek islands.

Those on today’s flight include people who have fled Syria, Afghanistan and Somalia. A university student, who hadn’t seen his younger brother for five years after he got stuck on the Greek island of Samos, said he is relieved he has been able to bring him to safety. 

He said: ‘It’s been five years since I’ve been able to properly see my brother, and all I’ve been able to think about is getting him to safety with me here. 

‘Now it’s finally happening, we’ll finally be together and able to relax. 

‘I know he’s looking forward to studying, playing sports and having a normal life.’

A stateless boy from Kuwait will also join his brother after a refused family reunion claim was overturned, reported The Guardian.

Meanwhile, an 18-year-old from Somalia, who has spent months living in a camp on the island of Lesbos, will also be reunited with his uncle in the UK.

However, many are still stuck on the Greek islands, with a volunteer previously telling Metro.co.uk they feared the pandemic would cause a ‘disaster of unimaginable proportions’ for vulnerable people in the camps as the migration crisis reaches ‘breaking point’.

Today’s efforts are part of a programme to relocate about 1,600 unaccompanied refugee children to European countries.

The transfer from Athens was organised using a repatriation flight already bound for the UK to collect Greek citizens.

Passengers had already received permission from the Home Office to join their relatives but after flights were grounded in March, they had no way of getting to the UK.

The decision was granted after families signed an open letter to the British Home Secretary and Foreign Secretary asking for the government’s help their loved ones.

Lord Alf Dubs, who fled the Nazis on the Kindertransport to London when he was just six, called the mission a ‘cause for celebration’ and hoped many more vulnerable children will be brought to safety.

He added: ‘I’m delighted that the British and Greek governments have managed to cooperate to get this to happen.

‘I hope it is only a start because there are other children across Europe who want to join their family in Britain under the Dublin III family reunion and there are other children who are in the Greek camps who may not have family here but also need to be helped to find safety.’

CEO of Safe Passage International, Beth Gardiner-Smith, said: ‘Today’s flight demonstrates what can be achieved when countries work together in the best interests of refugees. 

‘The British and Greek governments have shown real leadership in reuniting these families despite the travel difficulties and we now urge the UK and other countries across Europe to continue these efforts to reunite the families still waiting and ensure no one is left behind.’

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