Coping with a fundamental rights emergency – The situation of people crossing the Greek border in an irregular manner informal and ad hoc forms of coordination between the relevant Ministries to be effective in some instances, but not sustainable in the long run, as they are largely based on personal contacts and relationships. By contrast, no coordination mechanisms appear to exist between Ministries at operational level. In particular, sharing of information, coordination and implementation of activities in public administration at national, regional and local level (horizontally – between competent authorities – and vertically – within a Ministry) was found to be highly problematic.  Systematic detention practices in unsuitable facilities: In practice, no alternatives to the deprivation of liberty of persons entering Greece in an irregular manner exist. Except for persons requiring urgent hospitalisation, all other individuals are initially held in detention facilities, regardless of whether there is a risk of absconding, thus contributing to the overcrowding of facilities. Moreover, facilities to place irregular migrants are unsuitable. These are either converted warehouses or purpose‐built facilities which have a prison‐like design.  Lengthy bureaucratic procedures: These hamper any efforts of local police authorities to get budget approval to undertake rudimentary emergency building repairs in the detention facilities, such as replacing windows and unblocking toilets.  Unclear division of responsibilities at a local level: following the reorganisation of the public administration system through the ‘Kallikratis’ plan6 implemented since January 2011, the competencies of municipalities, regions and ‘decentralised public administration’ are still unclear, impacting substantially on their ability to cover essential needs in detention facilities. For example, in the past informal arrangements between the local police and Evros Prefecture (administrative authority) covered the provision of food through catering contracts, but following the abolition of prefectures neither the police nor the region or the municipalities interviewed could tell the FRA which body is now responsible. While the catering company continues to deliver food, it was not clear how payments would be made. Other services, such as the cleaning of blankets and building maintenance, heating and repair, have been interrupted or are sometimes paid by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) or provided informally by the army or even paid by individual police officers from their own pocket.  Limited NGO presence in Evros: The difficulties faced by the Greek authorities in improving the humanitarian situation at the border are accompanied by a virtual absence of NGOs and civil society actors that can provide services. NGOs have focused efforts on advocacy and raising awareness. Only MSF deployed permanent teams to Evros in December 2010. The Church distributes humanitarian assistance (primarily clothing) on an ad hoc basis and uncoordinated with MSF. 6 More information available from the Ministry of Interior, Decentralisation and E‐government (in Greek) at: www.ypes.gr/el/Regions/programma/ 7