The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, António Guterres, in Greece

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, António Guterres, is going to visit Greece from 9 to 12 October 2015 in order to assess the humanitarian response in the Mediterranean crisis, the needs of those affected by it and to define the ways in which the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) can further contribute to these efforts. The visit of the High Commissioner is taking place at the time when the number of arrivals in Greece has now surpassed 400,000.

Mr. Guterres will visit Lesbos and Athens, where she will meet Monday Alexis Tsipras Prime Minister and other cabinet members. Also, he is going to visit the temporary stay centers for refugees in Athens and will meet with senior diplomatic officials and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) involved in humanitarian support. In Lesvos, Mr. Guterres is going to the main points of arrival and he will meet local authorities, NGOs, volunteer groups and others involved in providing humanitarian assistance.

The High Commissioner will be accompanied by Assistant High Commissioner (Business Sector) George Okoth-Obbo, the Director of the Regional Office for Europe of UNHCR and Regional Coordinator for Refugee Crisis, Vincent Cochetel and the Head of the Department of Communication and Information and spokeswoman of the High Commissioner, Melissa Fleming.

After the end of his visit, Mr. Guterres will hold a press conference Monday, October 12, 2015 at 12:30 in the conference room of ESIEA (Academy 20, 1st floor, Athens). There will be simultaneous interpretation.