Τρίτη 5 Απριλίου 2016

"PLEIADES"- BRIEF REPORT ON MALAKASA CAMP





Malakasa Refugee Camp


A Brief Report on Living Conditions
Based on information available on April 5, 2016

















Table of Contents


1            General

1.1      Introduction

The document describes the living conditions in Malakasa camp in Attica region, Greece.

1.2      Terminology

Term
Description
Remarks



1.3      References

Ref.
Document
Document location
[1]      
Practical Guide to the Systematic Use of Standards & Indicators in UNHCR Operations
http://www.unhcr.org/40eaa9804.pdf

1.4      Disclaimer

Unless otherwise specified, the document reports information available on April 5, 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            Malakasa Camp

2.1      Living Conditions

2.1.1       General

Malakasa is an emergency reception site in Attica region of Greece.
The site opened on March 8, 2016.
Although the initially planned capacity was 4,000, currently the maximum capacity of the camp is reported to by 1,000.
The camp is managed by the army. Kids are seen playing alongside soldiers who patrol the site with weapons in their hands.
According to UNHCR sources, a mobile UNHCR team is assigned to the camp.
Refugees are permitted temporary exit from the camp upon request.
Small crimes are being reported, such as theft of chickens from local farms.
Alcohol smuggling and marketing in the camp is spreading.
There is an urgent and great need for volunteers helping at the camp.
It is denounced that on March 31, 2016, lawyers from the “Greek Council for the Refugees” who planned to visit the site following an invitation by the local Team of Solidarity were denied access to the camp. Purpose of the planned visit was to brief the refugees with information on the subjects of asylum application, consequences of the EU-Turkey agreement.

2.1.2       Number of People at the Camp

According to UNHCR data latest updated on April 3, 2016, currently 1,118 people are living at the camp, therefore exceeding by 118 the camp’s current capacity.
On March 16, 2016, when the population at the camp was around 800, the majority of the people were families of Afghan citizenship and 200 unaccompanied children.
According to latest information available on April 3, 2016, Afghans are still the majority of the population at the camp.
The presence of refugees of Iranian nationality is also recorded.
There are no updates regarding the present population’s distribution in terms of sex and age. However, the presence of many women (including more than 50 pregnant women), children, infants, disabled people (including a quadriplegic girl) and teens is reported.
According to latest reports from Piraeus port in Athens, there is an ongoing attempt to transfer additional 300 Afghans from the port informal settlement at the passengers’ terminal to Malakasa.

2.1.3       Food

Three meals per day provided by the Greek army.
On April 5, 2016, it was reported that refugees returning to the camp were found with chickens stolen from local farms.

2.1.4       Health

According to information available on March 16, 2016, there is inadequate medical assistance.
A later report dated April 3, 2016, confirmed the urgent need for doctors (including women’s health specialists) and midwives.
On March 30, 2016, a miscarriage was reported.

2.1.5       Water

No information available.

2.1.6       Sanitation

No information regarding the number of toilets or the presence of showers.
The camp was not equipped with toilets accessible by people disabled or with mobility problems. When a quadriplegic girl arrived at the camp with her family, the army faced difficulties in providing a toilet suitable for disabled access due to the asking price of a suitable provider identified (300 euros per month, 2,400 euros to be paid in advance). The effort of the army personnel managed to solve the problem internally. However, this brings to attention the absence of planning for facilities accessible to the disabled in the construction of reception sites.

2.1.7       Shelter

People sleep in tents with no floor, in sleeping bags or over blankets placed on the ground.
There are about 10 people per tent.
Tents have no heating.

2.1.8       Environment

The camp is an open site field, with few small buildings used as warehouses.
The site ground becomes muddy and swampy when rainy weather occurs.
The camp is managed by the army. Kids are seen playing alongside soldiers who patrol the site with weapons in their hands.

2.1.9       Photographs





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