1
General
1.1
Introduction
The document contains a brief report on the
living conditions in the refugee camps in Northern Greece .
1.2
Terminology
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Term
|
Description
|
Remarks
|
|
Rub hall
|
The term rub hall is used generically to describe a particularly
large, relocatable tent-like structure.
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Also referred to as Rubb hall.
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1.3
References
|
Ref.
|
Document
|
Document
location
|
|
[1]
|
Practical Guide to the
Systematic Use of Standards & Indicators in UNHCR Operations
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http://www.unhcr.org/40eaa9804.pdf
|
|
[2]
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Letter by Vitsa Dimitrios,
Deputy Minister of Defense, in response to a letter by Nicholas Kalantzi,
Mayor of the
|
http://www.atpreveza.gr/index.php/news/koinonia/item/18369-filippiuada-opos-sxisto-diavata-nea-kavala.html
|
1.4
Disclaimer
Unless otherwise specified, the document
reports information available on March 21, 2016 .
Due to rapidly changing circumstances, the
absence of official data and inconsistencies identified across a multiplicity
of (unofficial) sources, data accuracy and completeness may not be guaranteed.
However, all information is reported to the best knowledge of the author, given
in good faith, and selected across sources (including onsite witnesses) and
media deemed reliable.
2
Camps
2.1
General – Safety
and Protection
The following
issues are highlighted as critical,
·
Riots were
reported in Idomeni. The living conditions and the unavailability of clear
information are deemed to exacerbate the tension across the various ethnic
groups at the camp.
·
Children live in
an unsuitable and hazardous environment, exposed to diseases and infections as
well as potential abuses.
·
Fires spread in
more than one camp. Their nature was not always identified.
·
There are no
interpreters and people often communicate with volunteers and the military
through sign language. Furthermore, according to the UNHCR's Voulgaris,
mismatched birth dates, along with variations in the spellings of Arabic names,
have often caused delays and issues with official processes.
·
Doctors are
insufficient and the risk of infections spreading is reported high in all the
camps.
·
Babies are
reported born without assistance. In Elliniko camp (Attika region) a baby died
of birth complications because no assistance was provided despite several
requests raised by volunteers to take the woman in labour to the hospital.
As a term of reference, it is deemed
relevant to highlight that according to a report dated March 11, 2016
(including a letter by Vitsa
Dimitrios, Deputy Minister of Defense, in response to a letter by Nicholas
Kalantzi, Mayor of the Municipality of Ziros),
·
Camps are open and supervised accommodation structures. This means that the
guests/’s families have been identified in the islands, recorded at entry and
enter or leave the center based on the identification document and proof of
registration. No other refugee or Greek enters the center without the proper
license can be issued by the head of the center or the appropriate
municipality.
·
Guests refugees staying in rooms (prefabricated buildings or tents) and
food is
·
There is a permanent health unit of the Ministry of Health
·
There are interpreters from the Department of Migration Policy
·
There is refugees information service specialist clerk for children
Sanitization and cleaning of provided toilets is unclear. Agreements to be undertaken by the municipality in agreement with the manager of the center.
Sanitization and cleaning of provided toilets is unclear. Agreements to be undertaken by the municipality in agreement with the manager of the center.
2.2
Additional Camps
in Northern Greece *not* indicated in the Refugee Camps Map
The following additional camps located in Northern Greece are not listed
in the following subsections,
·
Thessaloniki March 18, 2016 .
·
Eleftheroupoli
(NW Kavala): 210 people according to report dated March 18, 2016 .
·
Nea Karvali (located
fast east of city of Kavala March 18, 2016 .
·
Kozani (SW Thessaloniki ): 400 people
according to report dated March 18, 2016 .
·
Konitsa: 162
people according to report dated March 18, 2016 .
·
Pieria : 190 people according to report dated March 18, 2016 .
Additional information regarding the above
camps, including their management, is currently not available.
2.3
Cherso
2.3.1
General
According to two
different reports, No NGO presence. Only private volunteers.
A team of about 50 volunteers are currently trying to establish an efficient and methodical goods distribution system to for clothes and toiletries. Packages per tent are being prepared based on actual needs to both provide humane support and reduce waste.
A team of about 50 volunteers are currently trying to establish an efficient and methodical goods distribution system to for clothes and toiletries. Packages per tent are being prepared based on actual needs to both provide humane support and reduce waste.
The UNHCR came a
few days ago, walked around and left. The relocation registration promised in
Idomeni by the UNHCR consists in one abandoned small white booth, forgotten in
a desolate corner of the camp, next to the military quarters’ tent. The empty
booth signals the wider fact that there is simply no one to talk to, to speak
about your options as a refugee there. And it is yet another hint that the
relocation program, however much it is spoken about, is nowhere to be found.
Cherso camp is in the middle of nowhere, secluded from any form of support,
whether humanitarian or legal.
Additional
information in the attached document, a travelogue dated March 16, 2016 : 
2.3.2
Number of People at the Camp
Data available on March 18, 2016 .
3,852 people.
2.3.3
Food
Reported on
March 13, 2016 . “The food
that has been distributed there for the past days was cold and out of date.”
2,877
portions (breakfast-lunch-dinner) reported distributed on March 4, 2016.
2.3.4
Health
People do not
know how to cope with infections and infected hands resulting from contact with
infected materials and unsanitary environment. The risk of transmission of
infectious diseases is high.
Many people ill
with cold and flu.
According to
DPA, The German Red Cross, in cooperation with the Red Cross of Finland, is on
the move to come down to Idomeni with two complete field hospital units. They
will include an operating room for surgery, special facilities for giving
birth, a laboratory and a freezer room. The German Red Cross says the units
will arrive near Idomeni on March 20, 2016 (information
available on March 18 – no updates available) and will be operational in Nea
Kavala and Cherso on March 22, 2016 .
2.3.5
Water
No
information available.
2.3.6
Sanitation
20 toilets and showers.
Insufficient for the number of people, some tents were converted into
toilets.
2.3.7
Shelter
According to report dated March 4, 2016 , the camp has 510 tents with
capacity for 6-8 people and 3 rub halls.
2.3.8
Environment
1 solar panel.
The ground is reduced to mud due to the
recent bad weather.
There is trash everywhere.
2.3.9
Photographs
2.4
Diavata
2.4.1
General
No general
information available.
2.4.2
Number of People at the Camp
Data available on March 18, 2016 .
2,211 people
2.4.3
Food
Two meals
per day provided by the army.
2,200
portions (breakfast-lunch-dinner) reported distributed on March 4, 2016.
2.4.4
Health
No
information available.
2.4.5
Water
Running
water available. Exact number is currently not known.
2.4.6
Sanitation
Toilets and
showers available. Exact number is currently not known.
2.4.7
Shelter
No
information available.
2.4.8
Environment
No
information available.
2.4.9
Photographs
2.5
Drosato/Drama
2.5.1
General
No general
information available.
2.5.2
Number of People at the Camp
Data available on March 18, 2016 .
479 people.
2.5.3
Food
Two meals
per day provided by the army.
2.5.4
Health
No
information available.
2.5.5
Water
No
information available.
2.5.6
Sanitation
No
information available.
2.5.7
Shelter
No
information available.
2.5.8
Environment
No
information available.
2.5.9
Photographs
No
photographs available.
2.6
Giannitsa
2.6.1
General
Fire
reported on February 28, 2016 . Causes unknown.
No further
general information available.
2.6.2
Number of People at the Camp
Data not available.
2.6.3
Food
Two meals
per day provided by the army.
2.6.4
Health
No
information available.
2.6.5
Water
No
information available.
2.6.6
Sanitation
No
information available.
2.6.7
Shelter
No
information available.
2.6.8
Environment
No
information available.
2.6.9
Photographs
2.7
Idomeni
2.7.1
General
The camp in
Idomeni is located approximately 20km north of Nea Kavala. The state is absent
from the camp, barring a few police officers surveying the final 100 metres
leading to the «exit gate». Various incidents were reported and the safety of
people is not guaranteed.
Police do not
allow taxis to approach the camp, thereby putting more stress on the already
exhausted people seeking the bare necessities outside of the camp. Small
fires for heating, burning wood, garbage, plastic.
UNHCR, doctors,
those preparing food and more generally all those providing all kinds of aid,
provide the only significant amount of aid (randomly distributed) to desperate,
exhausted and ill people (many of whom are elderly and small children), living
in adverse conditions.
2.7.2
Number of People at the Camp
Data available on March 18, 2016 .
10,500 people.
2.7.3
Food
Reported
insufficient. Part provided by volunteers.
2.7.4
Health
Cases of
Hepatitis A and of diarrhea were recently detected. Hepatitis A, diarrhea and
the more serious dysentery may be caused by crowding, lack of sanitation and
clean water. MSF and MDM have teams in the camp. On March 18, 2016 , the German Red Cross society declared that a mobile health station
will be sent onsite to for support. The station will be equipped to serve
10,000 people.
According to
DPA, The German Red Cross, in cooperation with the Red Cross of Finland, is on
the move to come down to Idomeni with two complete field hospital units. They
will include an operating room for surgery, special facilities for giving
birth, a laboratory and a freezer room. The German Red Cross says the units
will arrive near Idomeni on March 20, 2016 (information
available on March 18 – no updates available) and will be operational in Nea
Kavala and Cherso on March 22, 2016 .
According to a
report dated March
7, 2016 , in the Greek daily To Vima,
the spokeswoman for the MSF refugee mission, Vika Markolefa, warns against the
danger of epidemics, “We are very concerned about the health situation. Since
there are not enough toilets and showers, many people are forced to go in the
fields. When it rains, faeces spreads everywhere. This is particularly tragic
for children, who are always playing on the ground. We fear the outbreak of an
epidemic that could spread through the water.”
Babies were
delivered at the camp. Pregnant women and people with heart condition present
at the camp.
2.7.5
Water
Reported
insufficient running water taps.
2.7.6
Sanitation
Chemical toilets are present. Exact number,
unknown, is reported to be insufficient for the people at the camp.
2.7.7
Shelter
No
information available.
2.7.8
Environment
Few large tents with heating.
The greatest majority sleep in camping tents (no heating), makeshift
shelters or have no shelter.
2.7.9
Photographs
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|
|
2.8
Kentriko
2.8.1
General
No
information available.
2.8.2
Number of People at the Camp
Data not available.
2.8.3
Food
Two meals
per day provided by the army.
2.8.4
Health
No
information available.
2.8.5
Water
No
information available.
2.8.6
Sanitation
No
information available.
2.8.7
Shelter
No
information available.
2.8.8
Environment
No
information available.
2.8.9
Photographs
No
photographs available.
2.9
Nea Cavala/Nea Kavala
2.9.1
General
The refugee camp in Nea Kavala, accessible
through the road bordering the village, and which is in close proximity to a
supermarket, has been in operation since the end of February 2016. It is an
open structure, without restrictions on exit. It is operated exclusively by the
military, that is, there is no civilian staff from the Ministry of
Interior/Migration, which creates an issue regarding whose jurisdiction the
camp is under. The camp lies outside the Diavata- Idomeni axis (though very
close to the latter), and very few organizations visit it, so that very few
humanitarian aid materials are available. Aid not distributed following a
system, as no civilian staff is available to carry out this work. Staff present
(reported on March 5, 2016) consisted of 7 people in total, all military, and
the lieutenant in charge of the camp (who performs his duties on a shift
basis), and who appeared to be fully aware of his duties, responsibilities, as
well as of objective restrictions, as there is no aid, infrastructure or
sufficient staff available.
2.9.2
Number of People at the Camp
Data available on March 18, 2016 .
3,504 people.
2.9.3
Food
Two meals
per day provided by the army.
2,538
portions (breakfast-lunch-dinner) reported distributed on March 4, 2016.
2.9.4
Health
One doctor
based permanently at the camp.
According to
DPA, The German Red Cross, in cooperation with the Red Cross of Finland, is on
the move to come down to Idomeni with two complete field hospital units. They
will include an operating room for surgery, special facilities for giving
birth, a laboratory and a freezer room. The German Red Cross says the units
will arrive near Idomeni on March 20, 2016 (information available on March 18 –
no updates available) and will be operational in Nea Kavala and Cherso on March
22, 2016.
2.9.5
Water
No
information available.
2.9.6
Sanitation
50 portable toilets.
2.9.7
Shelter
According to report dated March 4, 2016, the camp has 557 tents with
capacity for 6-8 people and 2 rub halls.
2.9.8
Environment
Large tents and camping tents. No heating.
Some electrical lighting in certain places, but not throughout the camp.
2.9.9
Photographs
2.10
Polykastro (EKO Gas Station)
2.10.1
General
The camp is
located on the motorway, near Polykastro exit, at the EKO gas station and in
the surrounding fields.
2.10.2
Number of People at the Camp
Data available on March 18, 2016.
1,250 people.
2.10.3
Food
Two meals
per day provided by the army.
2.10.4
Health
No
information available.
2.10.5
Water
No
information available.
2.10.6
Sanitation
No
information available.
2.10.7
Shelter
No
information available.
2.10.8
Environment
No
information available.
2.10.9
Photographs
3
Additional Camps
3.1
Attica - Elliniko, Athens
3.1.1
General
Set up in
mid-December 2015 by the Greek government in the area of the former airport in
the Athens suburb of Elliniko. Since the airport was shut down in 2001, the
site has mainly been used for sports events such as the 2004 Summer Olympics
and includes a hockey stadium and a baseball stadium.
3.1.2
Number of People at the Camp
Data available on March 18, 2016.
1.205 in Elleniko Baseball camp
1.433 in Elleniko Hockey camp
1.852 at the Elleniko Terminal
3.1.3
Health
There are
no doctors.
Many people
are reported sick.
3.1.4
Water
No water
taps
3.1.5
Sanitation
No showers,
no washrooms.
People
bathe themselves and wash their clothes at the nearby beaches, in the sea
water.
It is
reported that there is no staff to clean the toilets and that the stench is
unbearable.
3.1.6
Shelter
Ex-airport
terminal, a hockey stadium, and 150-person tents set up by the army in a baseball
stadium.
3.1.7
Environment
People
sleep on the floor/on the ground.
3.1.8
Photographs
No
photographs available.
3.2
Central Greece – Ritsona Army Base
3.2.1
General
Located in
the area of an ex-army base.
3.2.2
Number of People at the Camp
Data available on March 18, 2016.
547 people.
3.2.3
Health
No
information available.
3.2.4
Water
No running water.
3.2.5
Sanitation
No showers,
no washrooms.
Chemical
toilets.
3.2.6
Shelter
Tents.
3.2.7
Environment
No
electricity.
3.2.8
Photographs
No
photographs available.In a context of urgent evacuation of the Greek islands, leading to thousands of refugees being redirected to the mainland, as well as in a context of a 3 week ban on reporters and tv crews to enter hotspots, we present an initial attempt t document the living conditions in several camps that have been set up around Greece.
We welcome fotographic material for inclusion in the report.
Pleiades Researcher who compiled the Report: Simona Bonardi
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