Chios

As authorities seek to reduce the pressure on migrant reception centers on the Aegean islands of Lesvos, Chios, Samos, Kos and Leros by transferring hundreds of people to the mainland, there are plans to open another two centers in central and northern Greece. 

The favorable value-added tax status of five eastern Aegean islands could be extended beyond June 30 if the European Commission establishes that the number of migrants and refugees who have landed on their shores exceed the capacity of their respective reception centers.

The privileged value-added tax status of the five Aegean islands that have borne the brunt of the refugee crisis since 2015 - Lesvos, Chios, Samos (pictured), Leros and Kos - has been extended for another six months, according to a legislative act published on Monday in the Government's Gazette and a ministerial decision signed by Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos on the same day.

Despite the bad weather, dozens of undocumented migrants made the short but perilous crossing to the Aegean islands from Turkey in the last few days of the year.

Migration Minister Dimitris Vitsas announced on Friday that the value-added tax rates for the five eastern Aegean islands most affected by the refugee crisis will remain lower after the end of the year, when the measure was due to expire.

Twenty human rights organizations - including Amnesty International, Oxfam, the Greek Council for Refugees, Oxfam and the local branch of Medecins Du Monde - have urged the Greek government and its European Union partners to ensure that all asylum seekers stranded on the Aegean islands are moved to suitable accommodation on the mainland or relocated to other EU countries as winter approaches.

The secretary-general of Amnesty International, Kumi Naidoo, has sent an open letter to Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, calling on him to take all necessary measures to improve living conditions at migrant reception centers on Lesvos, Samos and Chios.

Migration Policy Minister Dimitris Vitsas said Thursday there is a people trafficking ring operating on the island of Samos.

Greek authorities said Thursday that about 74,000 asylum-seekers are now living in the country, and efforts are under way to expand housing for them and improve conditions at island camps for migrants who arrive by sea, according to VOA News. 

Greek authorities said Thursday that about 74,000 asylum-seekers are now living in the country, and efforts are underway to expand housing for them and improve conditions at island camps for migrants who arrive by sea.