Observatory News Bulletin: Reports on the situation in Samos and Vathi RIC

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Observatory News Bulletin: Reports on the situation in Samos and Vathi RIC

Humanitarian Crisis on Samos Reaches Breaking Point Samos Volunteers calling on Greek authorities to act || Samos Volunteers || 05 Oct 2017

Samos Volunteers just published a Press Release that details the devastating conditions and urges immediate action from Greek and European organisations.

Bogdan Andrei, coordinator of Samos Volunteers, calls for immediate action to ease living conditions: "This is the worst camp situation I have encountered on Samos in the past two years. When the rain starts, hundreds of people will be flooded out of their tents and left without a place to sleep. No actor present on the island currently has the ability to effectively assist those in need.”

In a refugee camp with a designed capacity of 700 people, the population size has now become insupportable. There are currently over 2200 people staying in and around the camp, heading in the direction of last year, when it reached up to 2,400 people, and it is only the beginning of October. We expect many more to attempt the crossing, before the weather makes the journey too perilous. The level of overcrowding is causing a severe deterioration in the health and wellbeing of people who have limited access to shelter, basic sanitation and

medical facilities. Not enough shelter is provided for the constant influx of people arriving by boat from Turkey. People are forced to sleep in pop up tents and makeshift shelters, at least a hundred of which are set up in the woodland areas around the camp.

 

Access the full report of the Samos Volunteers here >>

Migrant Crisis on Samos Reaches Breaking Point || Greek Reporter || 09 October 2017

Over 2,200 people are staying in and around the Samos migrant camp even though the designed capacity is for 700 people, the humanitarian organization Samos Volunteers (SV) says.

The volunteers describe a situation of chaotic overcrowding as migrants are forced to sleep in the woodland areas around the camp.

The level of overcrowding is causing a severe deterioration in the health and well being of people who have limited access to shelter, basic sanitation and medical facilities. Not enough shelter is provided for the constant influx of people arriving by boat from Turkey. People are forced to sleep in pop-up tents and make-shift shelters, at least a hundred of which are set up in the woodland areas around the camp, SV says.
Read the article by Greek Reporter on the issue raised by Samos Volunteers >>

AYS SPECIAL: Living in a state of shock on Samos || Are You Syrious? || 03 Oct 2017

According to some estimates, there are almost 4000 people in and around the camp in Vathy, Samos island. The capacity is around 700. There is not enough water, medical or psychological help, and the overall depression is spreading from the camp to the small city. Although the rainy season is coming, nobody has any plans for the future.

The bumpy, winding road up the hill leads to the forest in Vathy, Samos. The view from the road is spectacular: a beautiful old city, a port and the endless sea and sky, both same deep blue colour. But the road leads to the camp, encircled with wire and security cameras. Before arriving at the main gate, on both sides of the road, on the steep hill, there are numerous tents and makeshift shelters and laundry hanging out to dry everywhere. On the road and around the tents there are too many children. Some are so small that they are still crawling. Their tired parents are mostly just watching from their shelters, hiding their faces from the newcomers. All of them have come to Samos, by boat, over the last month and a half. Many more are inside the camp.

Officially, about 2000 people are living in the camp. Unofficially, the number is close to 4000. Of this number, at least 900 are children. Some are living in overcrowded containers where often instead of eight, more than 12 people are living together. Inside the camp there are also many tents, around 250 small ones and some big. Around the camp, there are over 100 tents and makeshift shelters.

Read the full article-report on 'Are You Syrious' website >>