Selected Updates

Humanitarian Governance
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Announcement by the Anti-Racist Network of the University of the Aegean: The “Deterrence Policy” Is Costing Innocent Lives

Another crime, following the Pylos shipwreck, has occurred this time off the coast of Chios, where the Hellenic Coast Guard (HCG) pursued a boat carrying refugees and collided with it.

Humanitarian Governance
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Chios, Greece: Deadly tragedy following collision between Coast Guard vessel and boat carrying refugees

A tragedy occurred on the night of Tuesday, 3 February 2026 off the coast of Mersinidi in Vrontados, eastern Chios, following a collision between a vessel of the Hellenic Coast Guard and a boat carrying refugees.

Humanitarian Governance
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Joint Civil Society Statement on the Migration Ministry bill

Over 70 organizations are co-signing a joint statement regarding the new bill proposed by the Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum.

Humanitarian Governance
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Joint Letter by 17 Civil Society Organizations

The Greek Parliament must reject any proposal to abolish residence permits for unaccompanied children who have reached adulthood in Greece and successfully completed three years of education in Greek schools.

Refugees & Migrants
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The story of Nasrin: A deadly shipwreck, border violence and systemic protection gaps.

A case that sheds light on the consequences of unlawful pushbacks and the serious failures to safeguard life at the Greek and European borders.

Samos Society
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Samos: Concerns have been raised over the health of migrants, with the Samos Border Guards Union reporting symptoms of scabies.
Humanitarian Governance
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Extensive search and rescue operation in the sea area north of Samos – Rescue of 15 foreigners, recovery of 6 dead and arrest of alleged smuggler
Refugees & Migrants
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Double tragedy in the Aegean: Two shipwrecks with 12 dead migrants in Lesvos and Samos
Humanitarian Governance
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Extensive search and rescue operation following a collision between a T/C vessel transporting foreigners and a PLS in Lesvos – Recovery of eight (08) people, recovery of six (06) bodies and arrest of a 37-year-old trafficker
Humanitarian Governance
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Twelve people have died on Lesbos and Samos. Deaths at sea must not become the norm.
Humanitarian Governance
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The UNHCR has expressed its deep sorrow over the loss of human life at sea, and is calling for increased efforts to prevent further tragedies.
Samos Society
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A gathering in Samos to commemorate the refugees and migrants who died in the Aegean.
Lesvos Society
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Lesbos – Samos: 3,311 migrants on the two islands – Moutzouris' intervention in Plevris and the shocking accusations of Choulis
Humanitarian Governance
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Lesvos at the Centre of Debate on Asylum, Pushbacks and Solidarity
Samos Society
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Kaltakis: "Samos is not a warehouse for the country", demands immediate removal of immigrants
Local Societies
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Another 358 asylum seekers in Lesvos and the promises of Plevris (Minister of Migration and Asylum) remain pending
Humanitarian Governance
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A bombshell scenario for immigrants travelling from Crete to Lesvos. In the background is the 5,001-seat Vastria.
Centers & Facilities
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Chios: Refugees threaten to set themselves on fire – "We can't stand it here anymore, we want to leave"
Centers & Facilities
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First 300 Asylum Seekers Moved from Crete to Samos, Raising Alarm Across the Islands Amid Concerns Over Empty Reception Centers
Lesvos Society
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Mytilene: The 1st Intercultural Student Festival fosters coexistence through education
Lesvos Society
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The 1st Intercultural Student Festival fosters coexistence through education
Humanitarian Governance
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The Refugee Tragedy off Chios – Maritime Deterrence Practices and Human Rights
Humanitarian Governance
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Question by 15 Members of the European Parliament to the European Commission on the Chios shipwreck that left 15 dead
Humanitarian Governance
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Announcement by the Anti-Racist Network of the University of the Aegean: The “Deterrence Policy” Is Costing Innocent Lives
Humanitarian Governance
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Tragedy in Chios: At least 15 fatalities – doctors were unable to save the unborn babies of two injured pregnant women
Humanitarian Governance
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Serious incident off Chios involving the Hellenic Coast Guard and a smugglers’ vessel, leaving dead and injured.
Humanitarian Governance
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Thanos Plevris on Chios: “I believe the Hellenic Coast Guard
Humanitarian Governance
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Unthinkable tragedy in Chios: The government has released its report, while the opposition has launched an attack.
Humanitarian Governance
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Collision with Greek coast guard boat leaves 15 migrants dead
See All Updates

Archive

Document of the month

Bashira Centre arts and crafts
Photos from a visit to the Bashira Centre spaces

 

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HUMANcITY

Atlas

The Interactive Atlas of Lesvos that was produced as part of HUMANcITY project, it maps the humanitarian landscape on the island from 2019 to 2020. It records the official and unofficial humanitarian organizations and collectives and their respective functions as well as important events surrounding the refugee-immigrant phenomenon.

 

Refugee Observatory Blog

ΚΥΤ Μόριας 2020: Ανάμεσα στο «Hotspot» και τον «καταυλισμό-πόλη» *

Άρθρο του Παυσανία Καραθανάση (μεταδιδακτορικού ερευνητή στο Πανεπιστήμιο Αιγαίου - ερευνητικό πρόγραμμα Human(c)ity), για το Παρατηρητήριο της Προσφυγικής και Μεταναστευτικής Κρίσης στο Αιγαίο | Αύγουστος 2020.

Letters from Lesvos 3

Observatory of the Refugee and Migration Crisis in the Aegean, 11 April 2020

Letters from Lesvos 2

Observatory of the Refugee and Migration Crisis in the Aegean, 22 March 2020

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The Observatory of the Refugee and Migration Crisis in the Aegean is kindly supported by the following organisations.