refugee hotspots

• Germany

The asylum 'hotspot' system established under the EU-Turkey deal five years ago has failed, according to a German think tank. In a new report, it warns that the EU must not repeat the mistakes of the Greek islands.

• Italy

An association working on the Sicilian island of Lampedusa, promoting solidarity between migrants and the local community, has denounced conditions in the migrant hotspot there. The association says that the hotspot has "inadequate hygiene and sanitary conditions," and lacks "the necessities to guarantee the basic well-being of people."

• Italy

A new building will open at the migrant hotspot on the Italian island of Lampedusa next week, following renovations. Now the center will provide room for 328 migrants instead of just 192.

• Turkey
• Greece

A fire broke outside the Vathy refugee and migrant camp the Greek island of Samos in the early hours of Monday. About 15 tents were reported to have burned down. However, no one was injured, according to information by the migration ministry.

• Greece

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.

• Italy

A new report thinks yes. An Italian rights group recently published a report in which it details several infringements of migrant rights during the lockdown and restrictions designed to fight the coronavirus pandemic. It says that deprivations of personal liberty became more numerous during the lockdown and allowed the authorities to "extend the maximum duration of […] restrictive measure[s]."

• Greece

A lot has been written about the situation in overcrowded camps on the Greek islands of Lesbos, Samos and Chios but not so much focus has been placed on migrants living in closed camps in Kos and Leros. Refugee Rights Europe has lifted the lid on conditions there in an in-depth report entitled “Invisible Islands.” They document conditions that some of InfoMigrants’ facebook users have confirmed.

• Italy

UNHCR’s Representative to Italy Chiara Cardoletti made a first visit to Sicily. During it, she praised the island's management of migrant arrivals and said it had shown an "unwavering commitment" to migrant integration.

• Germany

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases among migrants in a center for asylum seekers in Sankt Augustin near Bonn has risen to 165. Residents told us about a lack of separation and delayed relocations. According to a new study, asylum facilities are prone to become hotspots for infections due to the high density of people.

• Greece

The local municipalities on the Greek islands of Lesbos, Samos, and Chios, which have been hard hit by the migrant crisis, have received special funding from the Greek government and are also set to receive grants to help alleviate emergencies and compensate for damages.

• Greece

A UNHCR team has traveled to the Greek border to advise migrants and authorities on the prevention of the new coronavirus. No cases have been reported among migrants in Greece, but there are concerns it could spread fast in centers and camps.

• Greece
• Germany

Mayors in seven German cities pled with the government for the right to welcome underage refugees from Greece. The move comes after the federal parliament rejected a motion to accept minors from Greek refugee camps.