Elliniko Emergency
Reception Sites
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A Report on Living Conditions
Based on information available on
June 30, 2016
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1
General
The document describes the living conditions in
Elliniko refugee camp in Attica region, Greece.
Ref.
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Document
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Document
location
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[1]
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Practical Guide to the
Systematic Use of Standards & Indicators in UNHCR Operations
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[2]
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UNHCR Site Profiles, 29
June 2016
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http://data.unhcr.org/mediterranean/download.php?id=1582
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[3]
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UNHCR Sites in Greece, 29
June 2016
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http://data.unhcr.org/mediterranean/download.php?id=1589
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Unless otherwise specified, the document
reports information available on June 30, 2016.
Due to rapidly changing circumstances, the limited
availability 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.
The denomination Elliniko identifies three emergency reception sites in Elliniko
municipality, in Attica region of Greece.
The sites are located South East of Athens,
along the coast and can be reached by tram or bus from the two Athens metro
stations Faliro and Elliniko.
One overall coordinator is assigned to the
three sites, in addition to a volunteer coordinator each. The three camps are
open and residents may freely exit, which they normally do to go shopping for
food and groceries.
The management across the three sites differ.
Access procedures across the three sites have been reported to differ greatly
depending on the respective coordinator in charge, with consequences on
services’ availability and provisioning as well as volunteers’ teams
composition, size and spirit.
According to official reports, the site is
planned for evacuation/closure in the short term to return the site to the
Elliniko municipality. Evacuation of Elliniko terminal
started around April 20, 2016, when the three sites hosted 3,529 people.
Initially, residents were being transferred by buses to Malakasa camp. It is
unclear whether the evacuation continues. However, the total number of
residents (as reported by UNHCR [3] has
now increased to 3,627. Surveys among local teams of volunteers highlighted the
following:
- Many people transferred to new camps returned to Elliniko due
to poorer living conditions faced at the new camps
- Elliniko has recently absorbed residents from a camp in Larissa
region which was closed.
Referred to by UNHCR documentation as Elliniko
I.
According to UNHCR [2], Elliniko I opened on September 28,
2016.
Referred to by UNHCR documentation as Elliniko
II.
According to UNHCR [2], Elliniko I opened in late February
2016.
Referred to by UNHCR documentation as Elliniko
III.
The
predominant nationality at the three sites is Afghani (90-93% of the total).
Approximately
25% of the total number are children and 35% are women.
No
information available regarding age distribution or the number of people with
special needs, such as elderly, disabled, or pregnant women.
According to UNHCR [3], capacity is 1,400 and the current
number of residents is 1,280.
According to UNHCR [3], capacity is 1,400 and the current
number of residents is 1,371.
According
to UNHCR [3], capacity is 1,300 and the current
number of residents is 976.
At Elliniko terminal, people sleep in camping
tents on the floor of the airport building’s first floor, in sleeping bags (previously owned) or over
blankets (received onsite) placed on the ground. Tents at the airport terminal were donated
(one per family) by an Afghani business man resident in the Netherlands. There
is no living space in between tents and people access their tents via narrow
paths.
A large number
of camping tents hosting families surround the fenced area of the airport
terminal. Some of them are Yazidis.
The situation at Elliniko baseball and hockey stadium
is similar (with people occupying the building in camping tents) except for the
additional presence of outdoor rub halls hosting 10-12+ people each.
Tents, bath towels, clean
laundry neatly piled up, family’s children’s drawings. Elliniko airport
terminal.
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Crowded tents inside
Elliniko airport terminal.
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Numerous families (including
Yazidis) live in camping tents in the area surrounding Elliniko airport
terminal. They have occasional, limited or no access to the camp’s services.
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Large UNHCR tents hosting
people at Elliniko baseball stadium. Tents are outdoor exposed to the sun all
day where temperatures may exceed 40 degrees Centigrade.
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The buildings offer no heating and no air
conditioning. Elliniko terminal, characterized by the presence of large, fixed
windows, has been very hot since April, with no oxygen, unbreathable air and
temperatures higher than the external temperature by 5 degrees Centigrade or
more. Many spend the daytime sleeping since virtually
no activity may be carried out in such environment.
Walls and
ceilings are in poor state. Large holes are present in the terminal walls,
especially along the staircase accessing the first floor. They are occasionally
“covered” with wooden pallets placed vertically in front of the apertures, which
in many cases remain uncovered in large portions. Children play explorers entering the broken walls.
In the area immediately surrounding the sites
there are unsafe areas (including lower ground levels) unrestricted or accessible through
broken metal fences as well as hazardous discarded materials and
debris. Children roam and play around in those areas
and in the garbage within the fenced area, climbing enormous rubbish containers
(2+ metres high) to retrieve tools and materials to play, including cardboard
boxes. They are also seen playing with rocks and engaging in dangerous and
potentially hazardous activities towards each other. Children have no safe,
dedicated place to play and, except for very small ones, they are mostly
unsupervised.
The first
floor’s terrace is not protected by fence (horizontal, parallel railing tubes
with very large gaps in between) and small children are at risk of falling. At
least one incident of such kind (child falling from the first floor) was
reported in early April 2016.
There is a highly
trafficked highway in front of the terminal. Vehicles drive at very high speed
(estimated 90kmh at least). Pedestrian traffic lights to cross the highway and
reach the tram stops in both directions are not responsive. People are forced
to wait 5 minutes or more to cross.
Numerous holes in the
ceiling and in the building’s walls of Elliniko airport terminal
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Numerous holes in the
ceiling and in the building’s walls of Elliniko airport terminal
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Efforts of the families to
make the environment more reassuring and hospitable for children.
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Discarded, hazardous
material (large window glasses) on the terrace at the first floor of Elliniko
airport terminal
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On the road connecting the
three Elliniko reception sites
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Trees are used to hang wet
laundry. There are no facilities for doing or drying laundry onsite.
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The unprotected fence of the first floor
terrace of Elliniko airport terminal. Incidents of children falling to the
ground floor were reported.
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Unfenced dangerous sites
(lower ground level) within the area of Elliniko airport terminal. Garbage
and hazardous materials are widespread.
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Children play in the area
surrounding Elliniko airport terminal, next to the highway
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Children climb in the high
garbage container in front of Elliniko terminal in search of tools and objects
to play
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Discarded materials and
debris at Elliniko airport terminal.
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According to UNHCR [2], each site should be
equipped with 1 toilet per 20 individuals, 1 shower per 50 individuals, 1 water
tap per 250 individuals, 1 hygiene promoter per 1000 individuals.
The following statistics and facts refer to
Elliniko Airport terminal. Similar situations apply to both Hockey and Baseball
stadiums though actual numbers are unverified (UNHCR data only available).
Tap water is drinkable. Bottled water is
generally not provided. There are 12 taps in total, 6 in the men’s room, 6 in
the women’s room.
There are 5 indoor’s men’s toilets, 5 indoor’s
women’s toilets, 6-8 outdoor’s toilets (undivided for men/women), altogether
largely insufficient for the needs of 1,300 people (1 toilet every 72 people).
The outdoor toilets are often filthy and unusable. The
stench surrounding them is unbearable even at a distance and when all doors are
closed. Children are seen playing in the vicinities and small children are
exposed to overflown and scattered excrements with consequent high risk of
infections.
There are 4 cold showers for men and 4 cold
showers for women (1 shower every 162 people). They are all indoor and result
in queues of hours to take a shower. The only time when queues shrink is at
night, however that results in disturbance and quarrels in the living area
because of the constant noise and loud speaking (and singing!) in an area that
hosts many sleeping children.
Facilities are not suitable or accessible to
disabled people.
The terminal is infested with cockroaches appearing especially at
night time.
2.5.1.1
Cleaning
It is worth
noticing that indoor living spaces, toilets, restrooms and showers (normally
found in proper state) are cleaned on a regular shift rota by residents, while the
outdoor facilities are care of the camp’s management.
According to UNHCR, electricity is available all day.
On average, there are 40 plugs (some of which hardly accessible) for
1,300 people. Residents report unannounced, daily interruptions of power
supply, suggesting planned intermittent supply in addition to incidents possibly
triggered by consumption’s peaks.
Access
to power plugs. Elliniko airport terminal.
According to UNHCR, 3 or more
meals per day are distributed and cover 100% of the people.
Three meals per day are distributed (breakfast,
lunch, dinner). For approximately a week around March the food was very good.
The situation then changed suddenly (changed catering service for unclear
reasons) and the food became insufficient in quantity and of poor quality.
Breakfast includes a slice of bread, a juice and jam/cream; lunch and dinner
both include (as main ingredient) one of the following: rice, beans, spaghetti
pasta.
Distribution of baby food is reported insufficient.
Secial needs (allergies and food intolerances) are entirely neglected.
2.6.2.1
Baby
Food
It is constantly reported that not enough baby
food (including milk) is distributed. The situation has worsened since the
evacuation started. The local warehouse is now nearly empty and the
distribution of goods and baby food is more irregular than ever. Parents refer
to the not-for-profit organization running the medical services also for the
provisioning of baby food.
According to
UNHCR, there should be a health facility onsite or less than 5km away from each
reception site.
The three sites
have no official camp’s doctor appointed. Medical services (including
paediatrician and OBGYN. Midwife once a week) are delivered daily
(approximately: 10:00-11:00, 14:00-15:00, 16:00-20:00) by not-for-profit
organizations and NGOs operating onsite: Fair Planet, Doctors of the world,
WAHA. Although there are objective difficulties in accessing personal hygiene
detergents on a regular basis and there is supply of cold water only, medical
personnel report that children are in general very clean.
Despite efforts, women’s health and hygiene needs remain a sensitive
topic. Female medical doctors may not be always available. In the waiting room,
translation services are normally provided my male volunteers among the
refugees.
During gestation, women undergo no regular visits or exams and the
risk of miscarriages and birth complications remains high.
In the first trimester of 2016, 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.
Vaccination
praxis undergone by new-born children is unclear and in appearance
inconsistent. For babies born at the hospital, some of the vaccines may be
delivered immediately after birth and others may be planned on a personal
vaccination record card. However, this could not be confirmed. In general,
children’s access to compulsory vaccinations remains uncertain and poses
serious reasons for concern.
Highly
specialized medical services may not be provided at the sites’ premises. More difficult
cases are therefore referred to local hospitals in Athens. Those include
documented cases of children suffering of heart conditions and epilepsy. Access
to drugs and medicaments in those scenarios may be problematic due to both
availability and inherent costs.
The average wait
for an ambulance is one hour. Patients are taken to the nearest adults’
hospital or to one of the two nearest children’s hospital.
Entertainment activities for children is limited to: 1) the
initiatives of the Dutch Boat Refugee organization, 2) daily projection of
movies (evening) by a Shanghai-based organization, 3) occasional activities
organized by volunteers. Children are bored and their learning abilities are
affected. Furthermore, there are known cases of teenagers wanting to learn
Greek who were denied the possibility (by the volunteer coordinator) despite
the availability of volunteer teachers.
There is no playground, no safe area for
playing, no schooling.
Some children spend time inside the terminal teaching themselves the
English alphabet or drawing. Their potential is left to the goodwill and the
skills of parents or the occasional volunteer.
Many children become alienated or develop aggressiveness or
dysfunctional social interaction behaviour, including bullying and beating. Due
to the absence of adult’s supervision, bad practices find fertile ground to
grow, spread and consolidate.
See also section 2.4 for
further information regarding the environment unsuitability and children’s
unsupervised activities.
Drawing by a child at Elliniko
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One volunteer playing with children at
Elliniko airport terminal
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Children self-teaching the English
alphabet at Elliniko airport terminal
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Portrait
by a 10-year-old Afghan child at Elliniko airport terminal. The drawing
portrays his father.
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On a sunny afternoon, a volunteer met the eyes of a
kid. They liked each other right away and started to play hide-and-seek and
peeking out the world from inside cardboard boxes. The child was giggling and
the mother was looking at them from a distance. She
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approached
and smiled to the volunteer, “I had not seen my child laughing for so long.”
The number of children grew fast. A circle formed on the asphalt in front of
Elliniko airport terminal, each child sitting in one cardboard box, passing
around a small ball and, when a bully ran away with the ball, rolling a tiny
toy-car tier.
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Playing soccer at Elliniko hockey stadium
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Children playing in the area surrounding
the fence of Elliniko airport terminal
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According to UNHCR, WiFi Internet
access is available.
There is no WiFi Internet provided at the
sites. Although a free network occasionally appears among the available
networks, a connection fails to be established. Often the network disappears
while attempting its selection. This has prevented the camps’ residents from
accessing the skype service to attempt to contact EASO.
According to UNHCR [3], a mobile UNHCR team
is assigned to the camp.
At Elliniko airport terminal, UNHCR has an
office on the first floor of the building. Officially, personnel is available
daily between 10:00 and 15:00 and between 16:00 and 20:00, however both the
number of UNHCR representatives and the actual opening times appear to be
irregular (personnel generally available in the morning, 1-2 workers with
translator). There is no mediator assigned to the camp on a stable basis.
Before the evacuation started, assistance was reported provided for the
following cases only: 1) applying for asylum in Greece, 2) applying for family
reunification in other countries.
During the
second mid of June, pre-registration procedures started at Elliniko. It could
not be verified whether this has affected the regular provision of UNHCR
services or their contents.
Clear
information is provided with regards to self-deportation to the applicant’s
country of origin.
Ads at Elliniko reception sites
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Various
information regarding support services, including humanitarian assistance,
legal assistance, asylum service office
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IOM’s
assisted voluntary return and reintegration programme
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Hellenic Red Cross restoring family links
and tracing service
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Hellenic Red Cross restoring family links
and tracing service
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Elliniko basketball stadium used to be employed
as the main warehouse of the three sites. In addition, the ground floor of
Elliniko airport terminal was used as storage of various goods, including food,
personal hygiene items and clothes. According to volunteers’ reports, baseball
and hockey stadiums too each had a local warehouse.
Before the evacuation started, the distribution
of items was approximately scheduled as follows,
- Clothes, once daily allowing
access to the warehouse to 5-10 people at a time for about 5 minutes.
However, many were the reports of insufficient or inadequate clothes/shoes
due to the too short time window for the selection. Many reported to have
been able to access the service only once over two months. Many were the
children with broken shoes or wearing adults’ shoes. Resistance from
volunteer coordinators was faced to handle exceptions.
- Personal hygiene, twice a
month.
- Cleaning products and
detergents, upon need and handed directly to the representative of the
camp’s residents (and elected by them) in charge also for coordinating the
cleaning shifts and gathering general needs and requests.
Since the evacuation started, the warehouses
have been progressively emptied. There are reports of insufficient baby food
being distributed. People refer to the local medical ambulatory, managed by
independent not-for-profit organizations, for baby food and, often, personal
hygiene items including specialized children shampoo for lice control.
According to UNHCR [3], security is provided
by Hellenic Police.
However, officials’ presence is limited to 2
officials (not 24-7) and occasional riots and fights are unhandled or left to
the potential intervention of witnesses with risks for all the involved: camps’
residents, workers, and volunteers. Witnessing women and children appear to be
especially impacted by the incidents.
2.6.8.1
Yazidi
Minority
Yazidi families live outside of the fenced
perimetral areas of camps, in camping tents mounted on the asphalt, in the near
proximity of the highway, among debris and in the radius of 100-200metres away
from the terminal. They do not have access to any of the three camps’ services
and do not join lines for food or items’ distribution. They make contacts with
volunteers to ask for help to arrange independent deliveries of food by local
charities. There are no established processes and no formal support. It is
expected that access to food, hygiene items, clothes, blankets, water,
sanitation has largely to do with occasional help of volunteers and luck.
Photo
credits: Simona Bonardi.