This article appeared in Ethnos (Greek newspaper) last Sunday written by the UNHCR representative in Greece, Karen Farkas. It is the story of Ahmadi, a refugee from Afghanistan and his journey to Greece. Tragically, his younger brother died on the way and he arrived here alone as an unaccompanied minor. It took four years, but he was finally granted asylum here on humanitarian grounds. We must look at the real people not the numbers. It is easy not to care when you think in statistics. Read on for the full article.

The story of Ahmadi demonstrates that behind the numbers about refugees, there are human beings, human tragedies of men, women and children - facing an unknown future, in a foreign land.

Ahmadi is a member of the Hazara tribe. When he was thirteen and his brother eleven years, fearing a Taliban raid, they had to flee Afghanistan, along with their parents and their other siblings. Ahmadi and his brother boarded a truck for Pakistan, while the rest of the family boarded a different one. Since then, the fate of his parents and siblings is unknown. He and his brother stayed in Pakistan for three years, in total deprivation and always at risk of being returned back home. In 1999, after managing to save some money from casual work, and with the assistance of their last employer, they fled towards Europe. His brother, weak and frail from the hardships they suffered, did not survive the trip and died on the way. Ahmadi arrived all alone on a Greek island.

After being detained on the island for three months, he came to Athens where he stayed in a park in the open for some time and then learned from some other Afghans how to apply for asylum. He was eventually sent to Anogeia Reception Centre for separated children asylum seekers. Four years later he was granted with protection for humanitarian reasons, after making several appeals.

Every human story is different - every loss is a personal one. There are stories of great tragedy but also of hope. Throughout the long bureaucratic delay in the processing of his asylum claim, Ahmadi was supported by some Greek people both morally and materially - in his effort to stand on his feet and to soothe his pain. Even behind the bureaucratic structures kindness and compassion can also sometimes be found. Managing illegal migration is a daily challenge for some police officers and coast guards. For some, the refugees are a threat and are treated accordingly. Many are pushed back from the islands to an uncertain destiny that includes possible death. For others, the refugees are people in need of help and protection. I have met some of these police officers and coast guards who face human tragedy and desperation each day.

The number of refugees worldwide has reached its lowest level since almost a quarter century. The decline in numbers reflects peace agreements and positive developments in several countries, which have enabled many refugees to return home. But at the same time it reflects the barriers which have been erected by States seeking to deter and control irregular migration. These barriers are not necessarily aimed at refugees but they do not differentiate between them and other categories of people on the move. We have to be cautious. If refugees are forced back to their home country, their liberty or even their lives may be at stake.

Being at the external borders of Europe, neighbouring unstable regions of the world, and having very long and porous borders, the Greek state is very worried about irregular migration, understandably so. Its police force and coast guard see it as their responsibility to curb irregular migration, especially over the past few years, where terrorist attacks in the western world have gripped the attention of the public. After 2001 UNHCR was seriously worried that the measure for humanity had been almost lost. Genuine refugees faced increasing difficulties in applying for asylum, while many have been left without protection. There was one year where as few as three people only received asylum.

But I have the feeling that the attitude is slowly changing. The number of those granted protection has been slowly rising more recently. In addition, I think that the authorities are starting to understand that a fair, efficient and rational asylum procedure is in the interest of security of the state as much as it is in the interest of genuine refugees. This will require leaders with vision and a strong sense of fairness, who will take courageous steps and dedicate adequate resources to offer refugees knocking on Greece's door the protection worthy of this country's humanitarian tradition.

Let us not forget too that the Greek people have experienced the refugee uprooting and its consequences. Many are children or grand children of refugees from Asia Minor who experienced social discriminations due to their descent. Their courage and eventually their rich contribution to the social, cultural and economic development of modern Greece are not questioned today by anyone. Refugees bring with them a wealth of culture and talent that, when given the chance, they may contribute to their host society. Refugees are not just numbers, lets give them this chance.

Written by the UNHCR representative in Greece, Karen Farkas.