Already an experienced mother, Nazila* did not expect that giving birth to her fourth baby would come with so many difficulties. But during her pregnancy in a refugee camp in the Greek island of Lesbos, she realized it was no place to welcome a newborn.
Since May 6, migrants and asylum seekers in the camp on Samos, which was presented as a model example when it opened in September 2021, have been living without running water, advocacy groups say. Migrants in the camp reportedly receive 4.5 liters of water per person per day to cover all their water needs, from washing to drinking.
Greece has faced accusations of illegally pushing asylum seekers back to Turkey for years. Turkish activist fleeing persecution are reportedly among the victims of these pushbacks, facing increasingly hostile Greek border authorities.
In a report, the Greek Refugee Council, Oxfam and Save the Children criticized Greece for running a "two-tier system for refugees." They say the Greek government’s response to Ukrainian refugees "stands in stark contrast to their approach to asylum seekers from other countries."
Greek police have reportedly rescued a group of asylum seekers, among them 10 children from a tiny island in the Evros river. This comes days after a woman was shot dead at the river separating Turkey from Greece.
The Greek Council for Refugees (GCR) accused the Greek government of ignoring the needs of dozens of asylum seekers, who are stranded on the country's border with Turkey. This comes days after a woman was found shot dead in the same region, and a migrant boat is reported to be drifting off the island of Samos.
Greek rescue workers and border forces rescued 27 migrants from a small island in the Evros river on the border with Turkey.
Human Rights Watch has made fresh allegations against Greece. The organization accuses the country not only of continuing to engage in the illegal pushback of migrants at its borders but also employing third country nationals, other migrants, to do so.
Thousands of Ukrainian refugees have entered Greece, where they enjoy international protection. For non-Ukrainian refugees, however, the situation remains tense and frustrating.
Greece is determined to take in Ukrainian refugees, according to Greek migration minister Notis Mitarakis. A reported 13,000 people have travelled to Greece from Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion so far.
The Greek government has announced that the ministry of immigration and asylum has created a special job-search page for Ukrainian refugees. Greece has already launched a specific web page with vital information for Ukrainians seeking refuge in the country.
On the occasion of Women's Day, various NGOs are shining a light on the issue of domestic violence among female migrant and refugee populations. One initiative in Athens highlights how it is actively helping to rescue women from abusive partners.