Restricted movement in the camps // Calls to end detention centers // First COVID- 19 case in a reception center in Germany // What to Know about Decree №8 and 9 in Italy

Corona Virus By Mohammad Sabaaneh

GREECE

“I just pray that this virus does not enter the camp, because if it comes, there is no safe place for anyone.”

In Greece, Doctors Without Borders (MSF), along with other NGOs, are calling for camps to be urgently evacuated to avoid the pandemic spreading through vulnerable communities that already lack basic healthcare. However the government’s response has been to isolate people in the camps away from others.

On Lesvos, both Kara Tepe Refugee Camp and Moria Refugee Camp, authorities have announced that movement outside the camp will be restricted to 100 people leaving each hour, between 7am-7pm, and that only one individual per family is allowed to leave the camps at a time. Given that the camps’ combined population is more than 20, 000 people, just 1 in 20 will be able to leave each day. All visitors and nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) have also been prohibited from entering the camps for at least 14 days.

“Protecting public health at any cost, for the benefit of residents on the islands and in camps, is our priority.”

The isolation of the two camps today seems an effort to keep the migrant population segregated from the rest of the population of the island. An outbreak now would be impossible to control, and the already strained health system would be unable to respond. It would be disingenuous to suggest that isolation of the camps is to protect the migrant population, as residents are completely lacking in any other measures to protect themselves, including access to water, soap, and ability to self isolate.

Videos from the ground show just how bad the situation is and how impossible it would be to do any kind of social distancing or hand washing.

Douglas Herman is reporting videos from the ground daily with messages like,

“Can’t stay home if this is home! COVID-19 is a real threat. In response the Greek government has shut down public life and is arresting anyone who endangers public health. Yet Moria Camp on Lesvos is locking vulnerable people in overcrowded and illegal conditions without adequate access to water, soap, masks, space for social distancing, even doctors. Asylum seekers came to the EU for international protection. So where is it?”

Instead of protecting them, these measures abandon these people to the realities of a long-neglected health crisis that will be hit by a global pandemic. If rapid measures are not taken to evacuate the most vulnerable individuals and prepare for provision of emergency health care to this population, Greece is signing the death sentence for potentially hundreds of vulnerable individuals living in these camps.

Ground teams are more overwhelmed than ever and need as much support as possible during these difficult times. You can support initiatives like the mask workshop group which is trying to create as many face masks as possible for the camp residents and those that show signs of the illness. The initiatives was started by four women from Moria who had experience as tailors in their countries.

“It was set up within six hours on Friday…One of the Afghan women used to be a tailor in Kabul and said she’d have no problem managing the operation.”

You can also donate to local activists and teams who stayed to support the people stuck on Lesvos.

You can make a donation via PayPal (hyperlink this: https://womenrefugeeroute.us15.list-manage.com/.../click...)or via a regular bank transfer to:

Women Refugee Route ARBEJDERNES LANDSBANK

Account number: 53610258213

IBAN: DK8253610000258213BIC

SWIFT: ALBADKKK

Subject: “Lesvos Solidarity”

Political action is crucial at this time as well. We must all do what we can to support solidarity initiatives in times like these and always.