As winter closes in, thousands of refugees in Greece still face homelessness and destitution. While
winter always poses a challenge, this year is likely to become one of the most challenging yet due
to the ongoing pandemic, a deliberate decrease in the length of support for refugees, and the lack
of a comprehensive integration strategy and strategy against homelessness from authorities.
Around 11,000 people who were granted asylum were notified amidst a global pandemic that they
were going to face forced exits from apartments for vulnerable people (ESTIA), hotel rooms under
the Temporary Shelter and Protection program (FILOXENIA), accommodation in camps on the
islands and on the mainland. These forced exits follow a government policy where refugees are
forced to ‘stand on their own feet and fend for themselves’ within one month after protection
status is granted, resulting in an end to accommodation, access to food support, and EU funded
cash assistance.
The EU-funded HELIOS Integration Support program has enrolled 22,980 refugees, but so far only
9,203 people have been able to access rental subsidies. For a great number of people it will not be
possible or feasible to receive HELIOS support. Many refugees have been unable to access social
rights such as a social security number (PAAYPA), a tax number (AFM) or a bank account, necessary
to get a job or rent an apartment, because of bureaucratic obstacles, language barriers and
discrimination. The HELIOS program provides a good start but cannot substitute a comprehensive
integration strategy that takes into account that integration efforts need to start from the
reception stage.
Civil society organisations are especially concerned about the many vulnerable refugees who have
been forced to exit or are facing forced exits, including survivors of gender-based violence or
torture, people with health issues, including mental health, or disabilities, single women and
single-parent families, young adults, and people from the LGBTQ+ community. Many refugees
have difficulties or are unable to become self-sufficient because of vulnerabilities or problems
accessing essential services and the labour market. In the past, refugees who were asked to exit
state-provided accommodation ended up sleeping rough in urban areas or did not leave
accommodation out of fear of becoming homeless.
Problems with access to support and services are exacerbated for refugees in camps because of
ongoing Covid-19 restrictions and the often remote locations of these sites, making it nearly
impossible to search for housing, access services or find work. For many refugees in camps, food
insecurity is a constant risk as cash assistance is halted within one month while those not enrolled
in the HELIOS programme stop receiving food assistance. The announced transit sites for those
forced to exit their accomodation only provide a band-aid solution for some refugees and only
ever for a maximum of two months. This period is simply not enough for people to become
independent and without proper support, the number of homeless people in cities will increase.
Under embargo until 22nd of December 2020 (7 am EET)
Ultimately, there is a critical absence of a long-term sustainable strategy for integration and
inclusion in Greece that results in increased homelessness and destitution for many people—of
whom many are refugees. Civil society organisations call on the Greek government to:
● Urgently take pragmatic measures to ensure that refugees are not evicted during winter
and an ongoing pandemic. Focussing on prevention and early intervention and equal
access to public services, regarded as essential steps by the European Parliament to end
homelessness.
● Present a lasting strategy for social security and integration which includes access to
adequate and affordable housing, including social housing, to ensure the full and effective
enjoyment of human rights, in line with the EU Action plan on Integration and Inclusion.
● Engage in regular consultation and dialogue with civil society about integration as the EU
Action plan on Integration and Inclusion emphasised its necessity to achieve integration
and inclusion.

Signatories:

1. Aachener Netzwerk für humanitäre Hilfe und interkulturelle Friedensarbeit e.V.
2. AASIA
3. Action for Education
4. Action for Women
5. ActionAid Hellas
6. ANTIGONE – Information and Documentation Centre on Racism, Ecology, Peace and Non
   Violence
7. ARSIS – Association for the Social Support of Youth
8. Better Days
9. Centre Diotima
10. Changemakers Lab
11. Choose Love
12. CRIBS International
13. Dirty Girls of Lesvos
14. DRC GREECE
15. ECHO100PLUS
16. Ecological Movement of Thessaloniki
17. Enough is Enough movement
18. Equal Rights Beyond Borders
19. Europe Must Act
20. European Federation of National Organisations Working with the Homeless (FEANTSA)
21. Faros
22. Fenix Humanitarian Legal Aid
23. foodKIND
24. Gablitz hilft- Flüchtlingshilfe
    Under embargo until 22nd of December 2020 (7 am EET)
25. Greek Council for Refugees (GCR)
26. Greek Forum of Migrants
27. Greek Forum of Refugees
28. HERMINE e.V.
29. HIAS Greece
30. Humanity Now: Direct Refugee Relief
31. HumanRights360
32. Humans before Borders
33. Indigo Volunteers
34. Intereuropean Human Aid Association
35. International Rescue Committee (IRC)
36. INTERSOS
37. INTERSOS Hellas
38. InterVolve
39. Jesuit Refugee Service Greece
40. Lighthouse Relief (LHR)
41. Love Welcomes
42. Mare Liberum
43. Mobile Info Team
44. Network for Children’s Rights
45. Odyssea
46. One Family – No Borders
47. One Happy Family
48. Project Armonia
49. ReFOCUS Media Labs
50. Refugee Education and Learning International
51. Refugee Legal Support (RLS)
52. Refugee Rights Europe (RRE)
53. Refugee Trauma Initiative
54. Refugee Youth Service
55. RefugeeEd
56. Refugees International
57. Samos Volunteers
58. SAO Association for displaced women
59. Second Tree
60. ShowerPower Foundation
61. SolidarityNow
62. Soup & Socks e.V.
63. Still I Rise
64. Symbiosis – School of Political Studies in Greece, Council of Europe Network of Schools
65. Terre des hommes Hellas
66. Thalassa of Solidarity
67. The Lava Project
68. Three Peas
    Under embargo until 22nd of December 2020 (7 am EET)
69. UK Must Act
70. Velos Youth
71. Verein FAIR.
72. We Are Here
73. Willkommen in Nippes
74. Yoga and Sport For Refugees

The post Refugees in Greece: risk of homelessness and destitution for thousands during winter appeared first on Refugee Day Center Alkyone.

English – Greece to re-enter lockdown from this Saturday
Greek Government announced a nationwide lockdown starting on Saturday morning for three weeks (November 7, 6 am until November 30) to slow the virus’ transmission.Under the new countrywide restrictions,

Use of a mask everywhere, indoors, and outdoors.

A movement is allowed ONLY in specific circumstances with a permit by sending an SMS to 13033.

Retail businesses will be closed. Supermarkets and pharmacies will remain open.

Restaurants and cafes will operate only for take away and delivery.

Kindergartens, primary and special schools will remain open while lessons on high schools will be via E-Learning platforms.Remember that police do regular checks, and there are fines for those who don’t follow the measures.

https://www.refugee.info/greece/coronavirus-emergency-in-greece/urgent-measures-to-limit-the-covid-19-spread-in-greece?language=en

French
La Grèce entrera en lock-out dès ce samedi
Le gouvernement grec a annoncé un verrouillage national à partir de samedi matin pendant trois semaines (du 7 novembre à 6 heures du matin au 30 novembre) pour ralentir la transmission du virus.Sous les nouvelles restrictions nationales,

Utilisation d’un masque partout, à l’intérieur et à l’extérieur.

Les déplacements sont autorisés UNIQUEMENT dans des circonstances spécifiques avec un permis en envoyant un SMS au 13033.:

Les commerces de détail seront fermés. Les supermarchés et les pharmacies resteront ouverts.

Les restaurants et cafés ne fonctionneront que pour les plats à emporter et livraisons.

Les jardins d’enfants, les écoles primaires et spéciales resteront ouverts tandis que les cours dans les lycées seront dispensés via des plateformes d’apprentissage en ligne.

N’oubliez pas que la police effectue des contrôles réguliers et qu’il y a des amendes pour ceux qui ne respectent pas les mesures.

https://www.refugee.info/greece/coronavirus-emergency-in-greece/urgent-measures-to-limit-the-covid-19-spread-in-greece?language=fr

The post COVID-19 info in English and French appeared first on Refugee Day Center Alkyone.

1. MOVEMENTS ARE NOT ALLOWED FROM 9 PM TO 5 AM FOR NO REASON EXCEPT MEDICAL OR PROFESSIONAL.
2. FROM 5 AM TO 9 PM YOU WILL BE ABLE TO MOVE EXCLUSIVELY AFTER FIRST SEND SMS TO 13033 FREE OF
   CHARGE.
   SMS MUST BE IN THE FORM:
   X [Blank] NAME AND RESIDENCE ADDRESS
   WHERE X THE REASON FOR EXIT NUMBER 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 CORRESPONDING TO THE FOLLOWING REASONS:
   1 GO TO PHARMACY OR VISIT TO THE DOCTOR, IF THIS IS RECOMMENDED AFTER RELEVANT CONTACT.
   2 TRANSITION TO AN OPERATING SHOP FOR ESSENTIAL GOODS (SUPERMARKET, MINI MARKET), WHERE THEIR
   SHIPMENT IS NOT POSSIBLE.
   3 TRANSITION TO THE BANK, WHERE ELECTRONIC TRANSACTION IS NOT POSSIBLE.
   4 MOVEMENT TO PROVIDE HELP TO PEOPLE IN NEED.
   5 TRANSITION IN CLOSING (BC funeral, marriage) UNDER THE TERMS REFERRED LAW TRANSITION DIVORCED
   PARENTS OR PARENT WHO ARE IN DIMENSIONS WHICH ARE NECESSARY FOR ENSURING COMMUNICATION
   PARENTS AND CHILDREN.
   6 PHYSICAL EXERCISE OUTDOOR OR MOVEMENT WITH A PET, INDIVIDUALLY OR PER TWO PEOPLE, OBSERVING IN
   THE LAST CASE THE NECESSARY NEED 1.5 METERS.
3. SCHOOLS REMAIN OPEN!
4. IN VIOLATION OF THE ABOVE, A FINE IS IMPOSED.

ΣΑΣ ΕΝΗΜΕΡΩΝΟΥΜΕ ΠΩΣ ΑΠΟ ΤΗΝ ΤΡΙΤΗ 3/11/2020 ΣΤΟΝ ΝΟΜΟ ΘΕΣΣΑΛΟΝΙΚΗΣ ΙΣΧΥΕΙ LOCKDOWN.
ΣΥΓΚΕΚΡΙΜΕΝΑ:

1. ΔΕΝ ΕΠΙΤΡΕΠΟΝΤΑΙ ΟΙ ΜΕΤΑΚΙΝΙΣΕΙΣ ΑΠΟ ΤΙΣ 9 ΤΟ ΒΡΑΔΥ ΕΩΣ ΤΙΣ 5 ΤΟ ΠΡΩΙ ΓΙΑ ΚΑΝΕΝΑΝ ΛΟΓΟ
   ΕΚΤΟΣ ΑΠΟ ΙΑΤΡΙΚΟ Ή ΕΠΑΓΓΕΛΜΑΤΙΚΟ.
2. ΑΠΟ ΤΙΣ 5 ΤΟ ΠΡΩΙ ΕΩΣ ΤΙΣ 9 ΤΟ ΒΡΑΔΥ ΘΑ ΜΠΟΡΕΙΤΕ ΝΑ ΜΕΤΑΚΙΝΕΙΣΤΕ ΑΠΟΚΛΕΙΣΤΙΚΑ ΑΦΟΥ ΠΡΩΤΑ
   ΣΤΕΙΛΕΤΕ SMS ΣΤΟ 13033 ΧΩΡΙΣ ΧΡΕΩΣΗ.
   ΤΟ SMS ΠΡΕΠΕΙ ΝΑ ΕΙΝΑΙ ΤΗΣ ΜΟΡΦΗΣ:
   X [ΚΕΝΟ] ΟΝΟΜΑΤΕΠΩΝΥΜΟ ΚΑΙ ΔΙΕΥΘΥΝΣΗ ΚΑΤΟΙΚΙΑΣ
   ΟΠΟΥ Χ Ο ΛΟΓΟΣ ΕΞΟΔΟΥ ΜΕ ΤΟΝ ΑΡΙΘΜΟ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 ΠΟΥ
   ΑΝΤΙΣΤΟΙΧΕΙ ΣΤΙΣ ΠΑΡΑΚΑΤΩ ΑΙΤΙΟΛΟΓΙΕΣ:
   1 ΜΕΤΑΒΑΣΗ ΣΕ ΦΑΡΜΑΚΕΙΟ Η ΕΠΙΣΚΕΨΗ ΣΤΟΝ ΓΙΑΤΡΟ, ΕΦΟΣΟΝ ΑΥΤΟ
   ΣΥΝΙΣΤΑΤΑΙ ΜΕΤΑ ΑΠΟ ΣΧΕΤΙΚΗ ΕΠΙΚΟΙΝΩΝΙΑ.
   2 ΜΕΤΑΒΑΣΗ ΣΕ ΕΝ ΛΕΙΤΟΥΡΓΙΑ ΚΑΤΑΣΤΗΜΑ ΠΡΟΜΗΘΕΙΩΝ ΑΓΑΘΩΝ
   ΠΡΩΤΗΣ ΑΝΑΓΚΗΣ (ΣΟΥΠΕΡ ΜΑΡΚΕΤ, ΜΙΝΙ ΜΑΡΚΕΤ), ΟΠΟΥ ΔΕΝ ΕΙΝΑΙ
   ΔΥΝΑΤΗ Η ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΗ ΤΟΥΣ.
   3 ΜΕΤΑΒΑΣΗ ΣΤΗΝ ΤΡΑΠΕΖΑ, ΣΤΟ ΜΕΤΡΟ ΠΟΥ ΔΕΝ ΕΙΝΑΙ ΔΥΝΑΤΗ Η
   ΗΛΕΚΤΡΟΝΙΚΗ ΣΥΝΑΛΛΑΓΗ.
   4 ΚΙΝΗΣΗ ΓΙΑ ΠΑΡΟΧΗ ΒΟΗΘΕΙΑΣ ΣΕ ΑΝΘΡΩΠΟΥΣ ΠΟΥ ΒΡΙΣΚΟΝΤΑΙ ΣΕ
   ΑΝΑΓΚΗ.
   5 ΜΕΤΑΒΑΣΗ ΣΕ ΤΕΛΕΤΗ (Π.Χ. ΚΗΔΕΙΑ, ΓΑΜΟΣ, ΒΑΦΤΙΣΗ) ΥΠΟ ΤΟΥΣ
   ΟΡΟΥΣ ΠΟΥ ΠΡΟΒΛΕΠΕΙ Ο ΝΟΜΟΣ Η ΜΕΤΑΒΑΣΗ ΔΙΑΖΕΥΓΜΕΝΩΝ
   ΓΟΝΕΩΝ Η ΓΟΝΕΩΝ ΠΟΥ ΤΕΛΟΥΝ ΣΕ ΔΙΑΣΤΑΣΗ ΠΟΥ ΕΙΝΑΙ ΑΝΑΓΚΑΙΑ
   ΓΙΑ ΤΗ ΔΙΑΣΦΑΛΙΣΗ ΤΗΣ ΕΠΙΚΟΙΝΩΝΙΑΣ ΓΟΝΕΩΝ ΚΑΙ ΤΕΚΝΩΝ,
   ΣΥΜΦΩΝΑ ΜΕ ΤΙΣ ΚΕΙΜΕΝΕΣ ΔΙΑΤΑΞΕΙΣ.
   6 ΣΩΜΑΤΙΚΗ ΑΣΚΗΣΗ ΣΕ ΕΞΩΤΕΡΙΚΟ ΧΩΡΟ Η ΚΙΝΗΣΗ ΜΕ ΚΑΤΟΙΚΙΔΙΟ
   ΖΩΟ, ΑΤΟΜΙΚΑ Η ΑΝΑ ΔΥΟ ΑΤΟΜΑ, ΤΗΡΩΝΤΑΣ ΣΤΗΝ ΤΕΛΕΥΤΑΙΑ ΑΥΤΗ
   ΠΕΡΙΠΤΩΣΗ ΤΗΝ ΑΝΑΓΚΑΙΑ ΑΠΟΣΤΑΣΗ 1,5 ΜΕΤΡΟΥ.
3. ΤΑ ΣΧΟΛΕΙΑ ΠΑΡΑΜΕNΟΥΝ ΑΝΟΙΧΤΑ!
4. ΣΕ ΠΑΡΑΒΑΣΗ ΤΩΝ ΠΑΡΑΠΑΝΩ ΕΠΙΒΑΛΛΕΤΑΙ ΠΡΟΣΤΙΜΟ.

FARSI
به اطلاع تان می رسانیم که .از سه شنبه 11/2/2020
فقط در سالونیک لوگ داون اعلاع شده است.
1.از ساعت 9 شب تا 5 صبح هیچ کسی اجازی تردید را ندارد .مگر اینکه بخاطر مشکل و دکتری یا
کاری.
2.از ساعت 5 صبح تا 9 شب شما می توانید به طور انحصاری پس از ارسال اولین پیام کوتاه به
13033 به صورت رایگان حرکت کنید.
پیام کوتاه باید در این فرم باشد.
نام نام خانودگی محله اقامت.
علت خروج با تعداد 1 ، 2 ، 3 ، 4 ، 5 ، 6 در پاسخ به دلایل زیر.
اگر میخواهید به دکتر مراجعه کنید یا به داروخانه بروید. 1
رفتن به فروشگاه برای خرید کالاهای ضروری ماننده (سوپر مارکت ، بازار مینی) ، جایی که حمل و
نقل آنها امکان پذیر نیست.
مراجعه به بانک ، به مترو که معامله الکترونیکی امکان پذیر نیست.
حرکت برای کمک به مردم در موقع نیاز.
رفتن در تعطیلات عروسی مراسم تشییع جنازه تحت شرایط ه قانونی کمک به ، والدین که در
محله دور هستند برای اطمینان از ارتباط والدین و فرزندان ، احتیاجات مربوط به ان لازم است.
تمرین فیزیکی در فضای باز یا حرکت با یک حیوان خانگی ، به صورت جداگانه یا برای هر دو
نفر ، که در مورد گذشته مشاهده می کنند و نیاز به فاصله 1.5 دارند.

ARABIC

. نعلمك أنه اعتبارًا من الثلاثاء 3/11/2020، يسري الحجر الكامل على مدينة سالونيك
: على وجه التحديد
لا يُسمح بالتنقل من 9 ليلا إلى 5 صباحًا دون سبب باستثناء الأمور الطبية أو المهنية.1
من 5 صباحًا إلى 9 ليلًا، ستكون قادرًا على التحرك فقط بعد الإرسال رسالة نصية مجانية على.2
13033: الرقم
: يجب أن تكون الرسالة على شكل
هو x حيث Xو الاسم وعنوان المنزل
حيث الرقم 1، 2، 3، 4، 5، 6 للأسباب التالية
اذهب إلى الصيدلية أو راجع الطبيب، إذا أوصى بذلك بعد الاتصال.1
اذهب إلى متجر للسلع الأساسية (سوبر ماركت، ميني ماركت)، حيث لا يمكن إرسالها .2
اذهب إلى البنك، إلى الحد الذي لا يمكن فيه التعامل الإلكتروني.3
شخص بحاجة ماسة.4
الذهاب إلى مراسم (مثل الجنازة والزواج والتعميد) في ظل الشروط المنصوص عليها في القانون أو
الذهاب إلى.5 الوالدين المطلقين أو الوالدين الذين هم في بعد ضروري لضمان التواصل بين الوالدين
والأطفال، وفقًا للأحكام المعمول بها

ممارسة الرياضة البدنية في الهواء الطلق أو الحركة مع حيوان أليف، بشكل فردي أو في أزواج، مع.6
ملاحظة في الحالة الأخيرة المسافة اللازمة البالغة 1.5 متر

URDU

                          !!اعلان!!
ہم آپ کو اس بات کی اطلاع دیتے ہیں کہ 3/11/2020 سے   تھیسلونیکی میں لوک ڈاؤن لگ جائے گا۔ 
خاص طور پر!!
1:بغیر کسی وجہ کے رات 9سےصبع 5 بجے تک  میڈیکل کے علاوہ پیشہ ورانہ کام کی اجازت نہیں ہے۔
 2:صبح 5 بجے سے رات 9بجے تک آپ اس نمبر 13033 پر مفت پیغام بھیجنے کے بعد خصوصی طور پر باہر نکلنے کے
 اہل ہوں گے۔
SMS فارم میں کرنا ضروری ہے:
X [خالی] نام اور رہائش کا پتہ۔
نمبر 1 ، 2 ، 3 ، 4 ، 5 ، 6 کے ساتھ باہر نکلنے کی وجہ جہاں مندرجہ ذیل وجوہات کی تصدیق کی گئی ہے:
1نمبر فارمیسی اور ڈاکٹر سے ملنے کے لیے ہے۔
2ضروری سامان مثلاً  (سپر مارکیٹ ، منی مارکیٹ) کے لئے ۔
3نمبر  بینک جانے کے لیے ہے۔
4نمبر ضرورت مند لوگوں کو مدد فراہم کرنے کے لئے –
5نمبر شادی،جنازے،چرچ،عدالت، اور والدین جن کی دیکھ بال اپ بغیر ناممکن ہے، اس کے لیے-
6نمبر چہل پہل،چیڑیا گھر جانے،یا اپنے پالتو جانور واک پر لے جانے کے لیے، اگر دو ہیں تو 1,5 میٹر فاصلہ لازمی ہے-
 3نمبر سکول کھلے ہوں گے-
4قانون کی خلاف ورزی پر اپ کو جرمانہ ادا کرنا ہوگا-

The post LOCKDOWN THESSALONIKI–NEW RULES appeared first on Refugee Day Center Alkyone.

The Greek government is about to close a historic shelter for vulnerable asylum seekers and refugees, with no care for the future of its residents. The Secretary General of Social Solidarity and Poverty Alleviation of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs asked the Police to evacuate the PIKPA Shelter in Neapoli Mytilene until 15-10-2020. 

PIKPA shelter is a well-known facility operating since 2012. At the time, it was the only open reception facility on the island, in stark contrast to Moria camp, which operated as a Detention Centre.  For years, many actors have come together at the PIKPA shelter to support some of the most vulnerable people in the island, including Lesvos Solidarity, founded in 2016. As also highlighted in UNHCR’s recent announcement in support of PIKPA, Efi Latsoudi, one of the founders, was awarded the UNHCR Nansen Award in Geneva, in 2016.

PIKPA currently hosts 94 highly vulnerable persons (unaccompanied minors, victims of torture, severely handicapped persons, persons with serious illnesses) who have been referred there for accommodation by the competent state authorities (Public Prosecutor for the unaccompanied minors and Reception and Identification Service in collaboration with UNHCR for the rest of the cases). 

Characterising PIKPA an “illegally squatted” facility, as was done by the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs in the letter calling for the facility’s evacuation, lacks any grounding.

One month after the fire in Moria, which once more accentuated the squalid conditions under which asylum seekers are hosted on the Greek islands, the first rain proved the inadequacy of the temporary facility in which Moria’s displaced asylum seekers and refugees were transferred to. Particularly amid these circumstances and the COVID-19 pandemic, the evacuation of one of the most humane facilities in Greece and particularly the Greek islands seems to lack reasoning and humaneness and is directly at odds with Greece and the EU’s obligation to respect human rights and provide proper reception conditions to asylum seekers, particularly the most vulnerable. 

In solidarity with refugees and the organizations that strive to assist them even under the most deplorable conditions, especially on the Greek islands, we call on the Greek authorities to reconsider the order to evacuate PIKPA.

On Wednesday, 14-10-2020, we will stand by Pikpa in defense of the humanity and dignity that everyone deserves. We call on everyone supporting humanity and dignity to join us in solidarity at PIKPA camp on Wednesday 14 October at 10:00am.*

*We respect hygiene measures and those most vulnerable amongst us. We wear a mask and keep social distancing measures.

Signatories

ANTIGONE – Information and Documentation Centre on Racism, Ecology, Peace and Non Violence

Changemakers Lab

CRWI Diotima

Ecological Movement of Thessaloniki

Europe Must Act

Fenix – Humanitarian Legal Aid

Greek Council for Refugees (GCR)

Greek Forum of Migrants

Greek Housing Network 

Hellenic League for Human Rights (HlHR)

Help Refugees/Choose Love

HIAS Ελλάδος

HumanRights360

INTERSOS Hellas

InterVolve

Legal Centre Lesvos

Médecins Sans Frontières (MsF)

METAdrasi

Mobile Info Team

Network for Children’s Rights

Odyssea 

Refugee Rights Europe

Refugee Support Aegean (RSA)

SolidarityNow

Symbiosis-School of Political Studies in Greece 

Terre des hommes Hellas 

The post Protect dignity and human rights appeared first on Refugee Day Center Alkyone.

Μore than 160 Greek and international organizations,  academics and other actors from all over Europe urge the Greek authorities to revoke decision to close dignified alternatives in accommodating refugees οn Lesvos 

Athens, 30 September 2020 – We, the undersigned, call on the Minister of Migration and Asylum, Notis Mitarakis, and the local authorities of Lesvos to repeal their decision to terminate the operations of PIKPA and Kara Tepe facilities for vulnerable asylum seekers on the island of Lesvos. The authorities should not only revoke the decision to shut down these facilities, but in this time of great need, they should further strengthen and protect all dignified alternative solutions for asylum seekers’ housing and protection.

In the last five years, PIKPA and Kara Tepe have sheltered vulnerable people escaping from the deplorable living conditions in the Reception and Identification Center (RIC) of Moria, a dangerous place where residents’ health and safety was continuously in jeopardy. The decision to shut down these facilities comes only a few days after a devastating series of blazes burned camp Moria to the ground, leaving more than 12.000 women, men and children with no access to shelter, food and water. 

While a new “emergency” camp has been set up on the island, which is currently hosting former residents of Moria camp, many of the signatories present on the ground report significant gaps in protection, access to electricity, water supply and sanitation, safety and security. For as long as the conditions in the RICs are undignified for human beings, alternative responses will be needed, to protect the most vulnerable. PIKPA and Kara Tepe should now by all means continue to offer accommodation and protection solutions that are appropriate, especially for the most vulnerable, including unaccompanied and separated children, single mothers, victims of torture and ill treatment, male and female survivors of gender-based and sexual violence, and people with disabilities. 

PIKPA, an open, self-organised solidarity space, has provided essential services and assistance to refugees on Lesvos since 2012. In 2016, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), awarded the Nansen Refugee Award to one of the co-founders of PIKPA, in recognition of their work saving lives and providing a safe haven for the most vulnerable during the refugee ‘crisis’ in 2015. Today, PIKPA hosts unaccompanied children, single mothers and persons that have suffered torture or ill treatment, as well as many people with heightened vulnerabilities. Survivors of torture and ill treatment suffer from chronic physical pain for years after their abuse, and psychological symptoms such as anxiety, depression, withdrawal and self-isolation, post traumatic stress, known as PTSD etc. PIKPA offers a dignified and safe space for the survivors who would otherwise be continuously re-traumatized in an unsafe environment.

Kara Tepe has been run by the municipality with a capacity of more than 1,000 people. It has offered humane living conditions to vulnerable asylum seekers and families that were transferred there from Moria, including single parents, people with disabilities, and many families with health problems. It has been lauded for its infrastructure and community-like atmosphere.  

While it is unclear where current residents of PIKPA and Kara Tepe will be transferred, the undersigned are convinced that going to the new “emergency” camp would endanger their physical and mental health and should be avoided at all costs. In addition, PIKPA and Kara Tepe could actually take in and better provide for the individuals who are more “at-risk” currently residing in the new Lesvos RIC. This would be especially important for people with disabilities, for example, as there are no accessible latrines in the new RIC at this time. 

We urge Greece’s national and local authorities:

To immediately halt the closure of PIKPA and Kara Tepe and to support and further enhance their outstanding contributions.  At the same time the authorities should seek solutions in line with human rights standards for the operation of the new temporary camp in Lesvos, pursuing the ultimate goal of its steady decongestion, and providing adequate standards in terms of  safety, water, sanitation and medical assistance to all residents, until all are moved to safer and dignified accommodation conditions”.

The signatories: 

A Buon Diritto Onlus

ActionAid Hellas

Agir pour la paix

Aid Brigade

AITIMA

Amnesty International 

Anders Wachsen

ANTIGONE – Information and Documentation Centre on Racism, Ecology, Peace and Non Violence

Are You Syrious (AYS)

ARSIS – Association for the Social Support of Youth

Asociacion Pro Derechos Humanos de Andalucia  (APDHA)

Asociación SINGA España

Association européenne de défense des droits de l’Homme (AEDH)

Babel Day Centre

Basta Violenza alle Frontiere

Be a Robin

Better Days

borderline-europe e.V.

Calais Action Brighton

Casetta Rossa

Catch a Smile asbl

Centre Avec asbl

Centre de formation Bienenberg

Changemakers Lab

Choosehumanity

Chorleywood4Refugees

Christian Peacemaker Teams

Christian Peacemaker Teams Netherlands

Church and Peace

Coexistence and Communication in the Aegean

Collectif de soutien de l’EHESS aux sans-papiers et aux migrant-es 

Collectif pour une terre plus humaine

Collective Aid

Comité de Solidarité avec le Peuple Grèce de Lyon

Coordindora de Barrios

CPT – Aegean Migrant Solidarity

CRIBS International

CRID – Centre de recherche et d’information pour le développement

Diotima

Danish Refugee Council (DRC)

Defence for Children International

Defence for Children International – Italy

Defence for Children International – Netherlands

Defence for Children International Greece

Defensa de Niñas y Niños – Internacional , DNI España

Défense des enfants International Belgique

Député Wallon (Belgique)

Destination Unknown campaign

Distribute Aid

Doctors Worldwide

Donate4Refugees

ECHO for Refugees

ECHO100PLUS

Ecological Movement of Thessaloniki

European Institute for Progressive Cultural Policies

ELIX – Conservation Volunteers Greece

ENAR – European Network Against Racism

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH – rehabilitate Human Dignity

European Women’s Lobby

Everyday, just a smile

Fenix – Humanitarian Legal Aid 

Firetree Philanthropy

Firetree Trust

Fondation Danielle Mitterrand

foodKIND

FORGE for humanity

Fresh Response

Friends Of Refugees

German Mennonite Peace Committee

Glocal Roots

Greek Council for Refugees

Greek Helsinki Monitor

Griechenland Solidaritätskomitee Köln 

Heimatstern e.V.

Hello My Friend

Help Refugees / Choose Love

Herts for Refugees

HIAS Greece

HIGGS

Hoffnung leben e.V., Bonn, Deutschland

Hope and Aid Direct

HuBB – Humans Before Borders

Human Rights Watch

Humanitas, Centre for Global Education and Cooperation

Humanity Now

HumanRights360

Initiative for an alternative mental health

Initiative for the Detainees’ Rights

InterEuropean Human Aid Association

International Centre for Refugees ICERAS

International Federation of Social Workers, European Region (IFSW Europe)

International Rescue Committee

INTERSOS

InterVolve

Iride

Jelscha Dietrich

Jesuit Refugee Service Greece

Khora Community Centre 

La Luna Di Vasilika ONLUS

Latitude Adjustment Podcast

Le Paria

Legal Centre Lesvos

Lesvos Solidarity

Love Welcomes

Make Mothers Matter

MAMbrella

Medecins du Monde/ Greece

Medecins Sans Frontieres -Doctors Without Borders -MSF

Medico International

Melissa: Network of Migrant Women in Greece

Mennonite Mission Network

Mennonitisches Friedenszentrum Berlin/Mennonite Peace Center Berlin

Migrant Voice

Migrations Libres

MiGreat

Mαζί/Together/معاً

Network for Children’s Rights

One Family-No Borders

One Happy Family

ONGD CEPAC-IB

Open Cultural Center

Organization Earth

Owl’s Watch

Pampiraiki Support Initiative for Refugees & Migrants

Parroquia San Carlos Borromeo

Peaceful Borders

People in motion

Pluspunt Netherlands

Project Armonia

Protestant Association for Conscientious Objectors and Peace (EAK), Germany

Rechtsanwältin

Refugee Aid Network Uk

Refugee Compassion

Refugee Education And Learning International

Refugee Law Clinic Berlin e.V.

Refugee Rescue

Refugee Support Aegean ( R.S.A.)

Refugee Support Europe

Refugee Trauma Initiative

Refugee Youth Service

Refugees International

REFUGYM

RefuNet

Reseau Foi & Justice Afrique Europe Antenne France

Respekt für Griechenland e.V.

Rethinking Refugees – Knowledge and Action

Safe Passage UK

SAO Association for displaced women

Seebruecke Wuppertal

ShowerPower Foundation

Side by Side Refugees

SolidarityNow

Still I Rise

Stop Precarite

Support Art Workers (Greece)

Symbiosis-School of Political Studies in Greece

Terre des hommes Hellas

Thalassa of Solidarity

Vasilika Moon

Velos Youth

Verein FAIR

Voice Of Ezidis

Wiltshire For Refugees

Yoga and Sport For Refugees

Youth for Refugees

Youth organization “Protests”

Also endorsed by: 

• Prof. dr. Ilse Derluyn, Centre for the Social Study of Migration and Refugees (CESSMIR), Department of Social Work and Social Pedagogy

• Vassilis Pavlopoulos , Associate Professor of Cross-Cultural Psychology – National and Kapodistrian University of Athens 

• Dr. Antonello D’Elia, Presidente di Società Italiana di Psichiatria Democratica Onlus 

• Hellen Gerolymatos McDonald, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, MSW, Clinical Associate Professor, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, School of Social Work, U.S.A (The opinions are Hellen McDonald’s and not those of the University of Illinois) 

• Luciano Rondine, Settore immigrazione e inclusione sociale, Centro di prevenzione psicosociale Nodo Sankara

• Joanna Kato, chair of Human Rights & Social Responsibility Committee of the European Association for Gestalt Therapy (EAGT)

• Athina Fragkouli, President of the Board of the Society of Social Psychiatry P. Sakellaropoulos

——————————————– END——————————————————–

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· Laundry,

· Showers,

· Clothing & NFIs,

· Social support.

For all the above services, appointments are necessary. To schedule an appointment, you need to call 2315-530644 or send a message to our Facebook page @alkyonedaycenter, between 13:00 and 15:00 on weekdays.

A limited number of registrations will also take place daily at 10:00.

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We would like to thank UNHCR GREECE for their great donation in NFIs, which will be distributed in the framework of the activities described.

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