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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
 
Samos RIC 3
Greece

Activity update – December 2017

Voices from the Field 5 Dec 2017
 
Trapped on the Greek islands
Greece

Families trapped on islands on the brink of a humanitarian emergency

Press Release 5 Dec 2017
 
Living Conditions in Lesbos, Greece
Greece

EU border policies fuel mental health crisis for asylum seekers

Report 10 Oct 2017
 
Living Conditions in Lesbos, Greece
Greece

A dramatic deterioration for asylum seekers on Lesbos

Report 24 Jul 2017
 
Winter Living Conditions in Belgrade, Serbia
Refugees, IDPs and people on the move

Thousands trapped in freezing temperatures in Greece and the Balkans

Project Update 9 Jan 2017
 
Greece

Providing mental healthcare to stranded asylum seekers

Voices from the Field 9 Nov 2016
 
In Limbo - Journey's end in Athens, Greece
Greece

Vulnerable People Left Behind

Report 20 Oct 2016
 
Access to medicines

MSF welcomes GSK’s decision to lower the price of the pneumonia vaccine for some of the world’s most vulnerable children

Press Release 21 Sep 2016
 
Greece: MSF mobile clinics with midwifes and psychlogist in Elliniko camp (Athens)
Greece

Everyone here is very confused; we do not know what to expect

Voices from the Field 9 Sep 2016