Subject: Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 17-01-02 From: "HR-Net News Distribution Manager" CONTENTS [01] Refugees to start receiving financial aid as of March, says Mouzalas [02] Environment ministry issues 48hr caution against use of fireplaces, biomass heaters to avoid smog --------------------------------------------------------------------------- [01] Refugees to start receiving financial aid as of March, says Mouzalas The government will start replacing common meals with financial assistance to refugees as of March, Migration Policy Minister Yiannis Mouzalas said on Monday, speaking to SKAI TV station. The financial aid will be given to all refugees residing in the mainland while those staying in camps on the islands will be excluded, the minister said, adding the amount for each refugee family will be one euro less than the minimum guaranteed income of a Greek family, "for symbolic reasons". Asked about the EU-Turkey deal, he said that if it collapses, Greece will face "a very difficult situation" which is why refugees cannot be transferred from the islands. Mouzalas also said 50,000 refugees and migrants have so far been registered noting the government aims to distribute them to more centers which are currently under construction. [02] Environment ministry issues 48hr caution against use of fireplaces, biomass heaters to avoid smog The environment ministry urged Athenians to avoid lighting the fireplace or heaters that use solid fuel or biomass on Monday and Tuesday as weather conditions will favour the concentration of pollution. On Sunday the national weather service forecast temperature inversion and no winds in Attica for 48 hours. The ministry's environmental agency said it is monitoring the concentration of particles and will issue new announcement, if there's a considerable change.