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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
 
Anti-migrant attack on health facilities outside Moria camp, Lesbos, Greece
Greece

MSF statement on violent 20 August protest in Moria

Statement 21 Aug 2020
 
Lesbos MSF forced to close Covid 19 facility
Greece

MSF forced to close COVID-19 centre on Lesbos

Press Release 30 Jul 2020
 
Yasin, 9 year-old boy in Moria
Greece

Greek government must end lockdown for locked up people on Greek islands

Project Update 16 Jul 2020
 
Refugees in Athens
Greece

Vulnerable refugees evicted and left to sleep on streets

Press Release 13 Jul 2020
 
Frederic*'s story
Greece

Using torture survival skills to cope during a pandemic

Voices from the Field 5 May 2020
 
MSF starts COVID-19 coronavirus activities in France
Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic

MSF steps up COVID-19 response in Europe

Press Release 30 Mar 2020
 
Lesbos and Samos Oct2019
Refugees, IDPs and people on the move

Evacuation of squalid Greek camps more urgent than ever over COVID-19 fears

Press Release 12 Mar 2020
 
Lesbos and Samos Oct2019
Greece

Greece, the ‘shield’ of Europe, and EU leaders push migrants into danger

Project Update 11 Mar 2020
 
Living conditions on Samos
Greece

EU must address migration emergency as Greek islands reach breaking point

Statement 4 Mar 2020