Germany’s grand coalition yesterday agreed to accommodate some of the most vulnerable children currently being housed in overcrowded refugee camps in Greece. 

Germany to accommodate a “reasonable share” of refugees

Early on Monday morning, the CDU / CSU / SPD coalition announced that Germany would take a “reasonable share” of vulnerable children and adolescents, as part of a so-called “coalition of the willing” at European level. 

In a statement, the government said that it would work with other European powers to find a solution for the approximately 1.000 to 1.500 refugee children currently in a “difficult humanitarian situation.” These are minors in camps on the Aegean Islands who either need urgent medical treatment or are unaccompanied and younger than 14 years old. Most of them are girls. 

The German government also assured Greece of its “support and solidarity” in protecting the EU’s external border - as well as in the accommodation and care for refugees arriving in Greece. 

Germany reacts slowly to escalating refugee crisis

The grand coalition’s decision is a response to the recent escalation of the refugee crisis in Greece. Since the Turkish head of state Recep Tayyip Erdogan opened the borders for refugees heading to the EU in late February, after the escalation of the military conflict in northern Syria, the influx of refugees into Greece has increased significantly. 

SPD leader Saskia Esken said that the decision to accept these young, vulnerable refugees took a “shamefully long time” to agree upon, while ZDF correspondent Florian Neuhann described the move as “only a very small humanitarian signal.” 

Refugee workers have been complaining about inhumane conditions in the camps on the Greek islands for months. According to Greek information, more than 1.700 people recently arrived on Lesbos and four other Aegean islands.