UNICEF Country Office in Greece is very pleased to participate in the MEDUSA exercise. We see this initiative as an opportunity to examine how the system for combating trafficking responds at multiple levels, to identify gaps and challenges with a view to informing any improvement efforts as regards the preparedness and effectiveness of the existing mechanisms and to promote cooperation among responsible actors.

Since the deployment of the UNICEF Refugee and Migrant Response in 2016, and in the context of UNICEF’s Greece Country Office current GBV Programme, a number of interventions have been undertaken with a view to preventing, mitigating and responding to the risks of trafficking in human beings. Protection of refugee and migrant children and particularly unaccompanied children from all forms of violence and exploitation requires well established reception, identification and child protection mechanisms and systems.  

In light of the above, it becomes evident that this comprehensive exercise, which will holistically examine how trafficking cases are handled at national and transnational level, will highlight how the different systems in place work mainly by clarifying roles and responsibilities and identifying the competencies required at different levels, both at the operational and policy making levels.

The MEDUSA exercise is a great opportunity to bring all involved actors together and highlight the importance of partnership and collaboration. We are looking forward to the exercise and reiterate UNICEF’s commitment to support all efforts aiming at its successful implementation.