Operating levels for 2016 will be higher than in 2015, reflecting the increased needs. Despite an increase of funds received, the concurrent rise of needs may led to prioritizing activities which could hamper the full achievement of the comprehensive protection strategy, also remain as unmet needs.
In the area of the access to and quality of state determination procedures, the support to the clearance of the backlog appeals through channeling of EC funds by UNHCR to the Greek State could not be prioritised; this could seriously affect the whole endeavor should the State either not be able to take over with its own funds, or not fully absorb in time EC funds, or the EC wishing to allocate funds directly to UNHCR for this purpose. Neither could be prioritized the deployment of 6 individual contractors to the Central Asylum Service in order to support the fast-track registration of Syrian asylum seekers; this could affect the registration process should the Asylum Service not be able to address the need with its own staff. One third of the financial need to fully cover the Dublin-scope project through a partner could not be prioritized. Totally unmet remains the need to develop an emergency registration project through a partner, Syria-focused, in case of extraordinary influx requiring a contingency plan of action. The deployment of an affiliate expert, attached to the Ministry of Interior-Migration Policy, to support the development of reception strategic approach at the policy-making level could not be prioritized despite the commitment of the Government to substantially increase the accommodation capacity of reception facilities. Neither could be prioritized the individual support to new arrivals through provision of NFIs in the area of first-line reception.
With regard to the access to territory, UNHCR will not be able to fully and efficiently implement its border monitoring activities and interviews with PoC, and will have to reduce its presence at the sea borders. Capacity development support activities through the deployment of 3 affiliate experts to the RIS at central level, in order to support the development of first reception structures and procedures, and the organization of one additional training to border guards, will be put on hold.
A significant amount of the comprehensive need in terms of budget for legal aid and strategic litigation projects through partners could not be prioritized; however this will only partially affect the improved access to legal assistance. With regard to promotion of potential for local integration, it was not possible to include fully within operating level an expanded project on new approaches for integration.
Unmet needs as regards the objective to improve public attitudes towards PoC, mainly relate to educational activities targeting the youth directly implemented by UNHCR that could only be partially prioritized, thus limiting the capacity for expanded interventions at schools despite increased demands. Support to National Observatory for Hate Speech through training could not be prioritized.
2016