provision of aid and assistance to minors, an additional program by 1*2 ³$UVLV´KDV been running since, with special focus on aid to children. Their efforts complement the ongoing assistance programs conducted by GCR and Doctors Without Borders (MSF). At the same time, authorities in the region alter their policies and practices regarding the detention of asylum seekers. Some progress has been made regarding living conditions in detention facilities. All these changes were ongoing through mid-February 2012, after which the Fylakeio detention facility was closed for renovations. It is expected to re-open in the near future as a Special Holding Facility for Illegal Migrants. ǿ. Who are the children that cross the Evros Region According to the Fylakeio registrations finally obtained throughout the year, there were 572 7 minors detained, either unaccompanied or accompanied by an under aged sibling. *&5¶V DFFHVV WR WKH IDFLOLW\ ZDV GHQLHG RYHU D SDUWLFXODUO\ FUXFLDO SHULRG RI detainee influx, from mid-July through September 2011. In the first 10 days of July 2011, 67 children were arrested and detained in Fylakeio, and their numbers increased by approximately 10 minors every two days. Staff was unable to obtain information regarding any arrests and detentions made from that time through the end of September. When access to the facility was restored on September 30 2011, 55 children were found to be detained in Fylakeio, all of whom were arrested that same month. In the first 10 days of October 2011, 65 more minors were registered in the facility, 42 of them over a period of 2 days. Therefore, in the period covering July ± 2FWREHU*&5¶Vobservation team can report a total of 187 minors in detention at the above facility. This data is compromised in its accuracy by the two months the mission was unable to access the facility, but the 7 7KHDFWXDOQXPEHUWKURXJKRXWWKH\HDUDFFRUGLQJWRWKHPLVVLRQ¶VHVWLPDWLRQVDVH[SODLQHG below, must have been approximately 650-700 children, in the area of Orestiada alone. 5