The Commission is aware of the refugees' and migrants' situation in Greece. However, the Commission does not have further information as regards the cause of these deaths. Any legal action and related proceedings are stipulated in Greek law and are the competence of Greek authorities.

To address the humanitarian needs of refugees and migrants in Greece (mainland and islands), the Commission prioritised the upgrading of camp facilities through the winterisation process. The Commission supported Greece in this process through the Multiannual Asylum Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) and Internal Security Fund (ISF) programmes, AMIF and ISF Emergency Assistance, and the Emergency Support Instrument(1).

The Commission is in close contact with the Greek authorities in order to ensure that the persons of concern on the islands receive appropriate shelter.

(1) Council Regulation (EU) 2016/369 of 15 March 2016. http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32016R0369&from=EN