Skip to main content
Samos Operational Update

Asylum seekers and refugees continue to arrive in Greece in search for safety. We provide first aid to people coming to the Greek islands Lesvos and Samos, and sexual and reproductive healthcare to migrants in Athens.

Our activities in 2023 in Greece

Data and information from the International Activity Report 2023.

MSF in Greece in 2023 Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) assists migrants, refugees and asylum seekers arriving in Greece, many of whom have endured trauma in their home countries, on their journeys or at European borders.
Greece IAR map 2023

In 2023, restrictive European Union and Greek migration policies continued to take a severe toll on the physical and mental health of people seeking safety in Europe. Many of those arriving in Greece, whether by sea or land, were reportedly pushed back or placed in Closed Controlled Access Centres (CCACs) and later released into the country with little to no assistance.

Throughout 2023, our teams in Greece documented people’s reports of degrading treatment, including physical violence at sea or on arrival on the islands of Samos and Lesbos. The dire humanitarian situation was compounded as more and more people arriving were placed inside CCACs, and the majority were operating beyond their capacity. As a result, there was a lack of basic items such as bed covers, food, water, and hygiene supplies, and services, resulting in various avoidable health conditions, including respiratory and skin infections. The conditions also further impacted people’s mental health.

Our teams continued to provide timely and essential medical and psychological assistance to people on arrival, inside camps, and within the community. We run day centres and/or mobile clinics in Athens and on Lesbos and Samos, as well as providing emergency medical assistance for new arrivals. Our comprehensive response includes general healthcare, mental health support, and sexual and reproductive health services.

Our teams also treat patients with infectious and non-communicable diseases, and victims and survivors of sexual violence and torture. To ensure that people receive the necessary support, our multidisciplinary approach also comprises health promotion, intercultural mediation, and social and legal services.

During the year, MSF teams offered emergency medical and psychological first aid to thousands of people upon disembarkation on Lesbos and Samos, and organised hospital referrals for those needing further care. Finally, following massive floods in the region of Thessaly, our teams provided assistance to people affected.

Read more: https://www.msf.org/plain-sight-migration-policies-greek-sea-borders

 

in 2023
 
Harin Halil
Greece

Alarming mental health distress among asylum seekers on Greek islands

Project Update 17 Dec 2020
 
Tetimony - Omaima, 52. Vathy Camp, Samos
Greece

Negligent and dangerous COVID-19 response in Vathy camp, Samos

Project Update 26 Oct 2020
 
MSF response to Moria Fire
Greece

EU must stop trapping people in miserable conditions on the Greek islands

Statement 8 Oct 2020
 
MSF response to Moria Fire
Refugees, IDPs and people on the move

Enough is enough: new pact, same misery for refugees

Op-Ed 5 Oct 2020
 
Testimony from Vathy Camp. Samos - July 2020
Greece

European policies of deterrence and containment degrade human life

Op-Ed 1 Oct 2020
 
RHIB_drill
Mediterranean migration

Detainment of fifth search and rescue ship in five months condemns people to die at sea

Press Release 20 Sep 2020
 
MSF emergency clinic after Moria fire
Mediterranean migration

“Enough is enough”: Time to stop the cycle of suffering for refugees on Greek islands

Project Update 17 Sep 2020
 
Moria Fire Camp
Greece

All people in Moria camp must be evacuated to safety in wake of destructive fire

Project Update 9 Sep 2020
 
Yasin, 9 year-old boy in Moria
Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic

Greek police enforce unwarranted and cruel quarantine of Moria camp on Lesbos

Statement 3 Sep 2020