Minister for Migration Policy Dimitris Vitsas on Wednesday welcomed the European Commission's decision to grant emergency aid of 20 million euros for refugees living on the Greek islands and mainly on Lesvos, saying that the Greek islands are bearing a disproportionate part of the migration flows to Europe.

In statements to the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (ANA), Vitsas said that the financial support is necessary, as "the need to improve the living conditions of refugees and migrants as well as the daily routine of the inhabitants of our islands, who have assumed a disproportionate burden on behalf of Europe, is becoming increasingly clearer."

Speaking to ANA on behalf of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Boris Cheshirkov also welcomed the Commission's support: "The UN High Commissioner for Refugees welcomes the European Commission's support for the continuation of our activities on the islands, including support for municipalities for the management of Kara Tepe, the operation of child-friendly places, the provision of interpreting and transport services."

He added that the UN continued to help out at the Moria hotspot on Lesvos, "as far as it concerns protection and monitoring procedures, providing information and helping to enhance the know-how of public services."

 "The Greek government is, of course, responsible for the hotspots and the coordination of the refugee issue in the country. UN High Commissioner for Refugees provides support where necessary," Cheshirkov said to ANA, stressing the difficult conditions existing in the Lesvos and Samos hotspots. "Overcrowded hotspots and inadequate conditions continue to exist in the hotspots and the situation is very serious on Lesvos and Samos, but also on Chios. UNHCR calls on the authorities to deal with overcrowding, improve conditions and security, and enhance the services provided, including medical and psycho-social assistance," he said.

The Commission's 20 mln euro funding will be granted to the UNHCR to be used for the management of reception facilities for migrants and refugees in Lesvos, to support local community projects and to provide further urgent housing to the islands. It will also be used to children protection, informal education and prevention of sexual violence.

The Commission's funding is additional to the financial support of 1.6 billion euros granted by the Commission as of 2015 to address the migration issue in Greece.