Patras is taking a proactive role to deal with the refugee crisis. For the moment, the city has not been yet a destination for refugees. However, Patras is a main port of Western Greece and has been a by-pass city in the recent past for undocumented migrants who wished to use the port and reach Central Europe (through Italy). Taking into account this experience and the current circumstances, Patras is preparing for providing services to refugees who may possibly reach the city.

In line with this concept, the Municipality of Patras has established links with the refugee centre of Myrsini, an area within the Elia prefecture, next to Achaia (of which Patras is the capital). Both Elia and Achaia are part of the Western Greece region. The Myrsini refugee centre is run by the related Municipality of Andravida – Kyllini.  More precisely, the Municipality of Patras is among local bodies which are members of the Regional Association of Municipalities of Western Greece and have signed an agreement on contributing in-kind to the operation of the refugee campus.

In this respect, Patras has been exploiting the operation of its social structures (bank of food, municipal wardrobe, municipal pharmacy) so that part of the collected material is transferred to Myrsini refugees center. Emphasis is put to the collection of toys and stationery for kids (bags, pencils, drawing material, etc.). The Mayor of Patras, accompanied by the President of the Patras City Council, organised a visit to the centre along with the Mayor of the Municipality of Andravida – Kyllini (Mr Nabil Joseph Moradi), to get first-hand insights on the situation. The center hosts approximately 340 refugees, of whom the vast majority are women and children. Over 60% of the families who are accommodated in the space have a related person in another country in Europe. The main demand of the refugees is to be allowed to continue their journey and be reunited with their families.

The Mayor of Patras declared the solidarity of the city to the refugee centre and the willingness to continue being actively involved in supporting it on a permanent basis.

In addition, it is noteworthy, that various related initiatives have been implemented by other bodies of Patras such as the Hellenic Open University, the University of Patras, the Technical Educational Institute, the Associations of Employees in sectors of food, tourism, banking-finance, weapons industry, people with disabilities, etc. This collective endeavor shows in practice the solidarity spirit of the people of Patras who, at the same time, have been facing the impact of the economic crisis, to themselves and their families.