Police have cleared the small community-run PIKPA migrant camp on the Greek island of Lesbos. The facility had been created to provide a safe haven for particularly vulnerable refugees and migrants. The nearly 80 people living at PIKPA will be transferred to the Kara Tepe camp.
Several NGOs have launched a petition, calling on European leaders to drastically improve the treatment of migrants and refugees on the Greek islands. Their petition has been signed by over 165,000 people and organizations.
More than 240 asylum seekers on the Greek island of Lesbos have contracted the novel coronavirus. They are all housed at a temporary camp accommodation after the devastating fire at the Moria camp earlier in September.
Greek officials have threatened to make asylum conditional to resettlement in a new tent facility on the island of Lesbos. The German government has signaled its intention to take in more migrants in a "second step."
The situation on the Greek island of Lesbos is tense, as migrants and refugees remain stranded. Athens is now trying to pour oil on troubled waters, but things have long since gotten out of control.
100 vulnerable migrants will be relocated from Greece to Germany this Friday. Among the roughly 24 families are sick children in need of medical treatment, the German interior ministry said.
Police abuse, discrimination, daily evacuations, lack of access to water and hygiene: the situation for migrants in the northern French city of Calais continues to deteriorate with the COVID-19 crisis and public health restrictions failing to stem arrivals or dampen dreams of making it to England.
Arshid*, 28, left his native Iran, where he was forced to hide his homosexuality. He continues to do so in Bosnia’s Bira camp, where he has been stuck for nine months. The coronavirus pandemic has made it even more difficult to reach Europe, but he’s not giving up hope of reaching a country where he can finally "be himself".
With social distancing impossible in tents, a coronavirus outbreak in one of Lebanon's Syrian refugee camps would quickly turn catastrophic. Yet, many Syrians have more existential fears than those posed by the virus.
The Lebanese government has been able to contain the virus so far. Most of all, the strict protection measures affect people living in extreme poverty, and refugees. Their livelihoods and health are at stake.
Two refugee footballers met for a friendly match last weekend - played on a video game. Alphonso Davies, who plays for FC Bayern-Munich, and Asmir Begovic from AC Milan held the virtual match to raise funds for UNHCR.
Ylva Johansson EU's commissioner for home affairs has rung the alarm bell over a possible coronavirus outbreak in one of the overcrowded Greek migrant camps. She told DW this must be avoided at all cost.