Yesterday, the final direct flight from Lesvos saw the arrival of 120 recognised refugees in Germany, bringing the number of relocations from Greece to Germany to 1,142 in 2021, and 1,423 since October 2020.

A similar flight also arrived in Hanover last week, bringing 162 beneficiaries of international protection to Hanover. The vast majority were from Afghanistan, with a handful also originating from DRC and Somalia. 

The arrival of these two relocation flights from Greece brings Germany one step closer to having fulfilled its pledge from 9th October 2020 to relocate 1,553 beneficiaries of international protection from several Greek islands.

Supported by IOM, UNHCR and UNICEF, a total of 3,654 people has been relocated thus far under the voluntary scheme for the relocation from Greece to other European countries, which consists of 100 separate pledges from countries across Europe.

These flights were part of a programme funded by the EU’s Directorate General for Migration and Home Affairs.