Beattie, Amanda R

Bird, Gemma

English

Aston Publications Explorer

7/8/2019 Samos: grim winter leads to protests by refugees living in limbo on Greek islandhttps://theconversation.com/samos-grim-winter-leads-to-protests-by-refugees-living-in-limbo-on-greek-island-110116 1/4AuthorsGemma BirdLecturer in Politics and InternationalRelations, University of LiverpoolAmanda Russell BeattieLecturer in Politics and InternationalRelations, Fellow The Aston Centre forEurope, Aston UniversityAcademic rigour, journalistic flairSamos: grim winter leads to protests by refugees living in limboon Greek islandJanuary 24, 2019 4.44pm GMTAs winter took its toll in January on the Aegean island of Samos, the refugee population stuck therehave held peaceful protests against their conditions. But tensions are rising.The weather on Samos, a Greek island off the Turkish coast, is chaotic and ever changing. When wewere there in July 2018, we experienced temperatures in the high 30s with limited protection fromthe sun and the heat. Now, the winter weather alternates from freezing cold, to torrential rain, tothunderstorms – all in the same day. The weather is not a problem that can be solved for the refugeesliving here, but the international response to it can, and should be improved.We have returned to the island as part of our ongoing research into the nature of support provided tothe refugee population – which has fluctuated over the past six months with estimates rangingbetween 4,000 and 5,000 people, depending on who you speak to. The island’s refugee camp islocated on the boundaries of the town of Vathy, which has an estimated population of 5,575 people.The ‘jungle’ camp on Samos. Samos Volunteers7/8/2019 Samos: grim winter leads to protests by refugees living in limbo on Greek islandhttps://theconversation.com/samos-grim-winter-leads-to-protests-by-refugees-living-in-limbo-on-greek-island-110116 2/4The refugee reception centre is run by the Greek Reception and Identification Service and has acapacity of 700 people. But as the number of refugees has rapidly increased, the majority of peoplenow live outside of its fences. They are often a 15 minute walk from toilets or showers – the conditions of which are getting worse – and living in tents that are, in many cases, damaged and incapable ofsurviving the conditions, in an area referred to as the “jungle”.Dangerous conditionsLike the main reception centre, the “jungle” is built on a steep muddy hill, which becomes even moremuddy and dangerous when it rains and provides very little protection from the elements. Ourongoing research reveals that people struggle to sleep in these conditions, they are cold and wet, orwake up to find rats in their tents. There are not enough ponchos on the island, nor are there enoughshoes and socks and as a result people continue to get sick. In January, a bout of the flu was goingaround the island, most likely a result of the conditions.Voluntary organisations are working hard to respond to the conditions. Constantly battling one crisisafter another, organisations such as Samos Volunteers provide a space for classes, a laundry service,as well as a centre that is warm and dry with a constant supply of tea. Up until now the internationalresponse has been sadly lacking. But more NGOs are now coming to the island, and we know of threethat set up on the island in January.#IR_Aesthetics@IR_AestheticsCaught in another storm here on #Samos. Make shift tents are not suitable for these conditions. #hail4 9:39 AM - Jan 12, 2019 · Vathy, GreeceSee #IR_Aesthetics's other Tweets7/8/2019 Samos: grim winter leads to protests by refugees living in limbo on Greek islandhttps://theconversation.com/samos-grim-winter-leads-to-protests-by-refugees-living-in-limbo-on-greek-island-110116 3/4NGO workers have confirmed to us that they have supported refugees through the asylum process forup to 18 months. People have to wait for a response from the Greek Asylum Service to their asylumclaim – without which they can’t leave the island. Some have had meetings scheduled and thencancelled with little warning or justification.The logic of the asylum process, of who is and is not vulnerable, who will and will not be transferredand why, is hard for people to comprehend. Then, when travel off the island is permitted, ourinterviewees have told us of people who have been moved to the mainland and housed in isolatedareas with limited connections to support networks.Endless queuesLife on the island is one queue after another. Everyone has access to three meals a day, if they choose.They must queue for the food, sometimes for up to five hours for each meal. Unaccompanied minorsare exempt from this as their meals are provided first. But, in our research interviews, we’ve been toldthat minors have been injured during this process leading one local NGO, Still I Rise, to offerbreakfast and lunch to the children who attend their school.We’ve also been told by our interviewees of the poor variety of food, with one person suggestingdinner is always potatoes. As a result, there is a lot of untouched food littering the “jungle” outside thecamp, leading to further risks of rats and disease.People also have to queue to use the showers and the bathrooms. And queue again to have an asylummeeting, or get onto a waiting list for legal guidance, or on the waiting list for children’s classes, or toaccess laundry facilities.Not only could the international community do more to improve the procedures governing asylumand transfer, more also needs to be done to improve the conditions and safety of the reception centreitself, or find an alternative with indoor space, electricity and protection from the elements. Thecurrent conditions in “the jungle” are dangerous, and our interviewees have told us of experiences ofgender-based violence. Our interviews revealed how they rely on plastic bottles as an alternative to thetoilets, which are not only broken, but are dangerous for women and children, especially after dark.We are Humans Protest, January 2019 on Samos island. Gemma Bird.7/8/2019 Samos: grim winter leads to protests by refugees living in limbo on Greek islandhttps://theconversation.com/samos-grim-winter-leads-to-protests-by-refugees-living-in-limbo-on-greek-island-110116 4/4Refugees Asylum Greece Asylum seekersTo respond to these conditions, more conversations are needed betweenthe reception centre and the third party organisations supportingrefugees. Greater transparency on behalf of the Greek authorities wouldenable international organisations such as Médecins Sans Frontières toprovide much needed support to the population within the receptioncentres, not only on Samos but in each of the four other refugee hot spotson Lesvos, Chios, Kos and Chiros.In Moria, on Lesvos, the largest reception centre in the Aegean islands, aman was reportedly found dead. An urgent response is needed boththere and on Samos before more tragedy strikes the Aegean islands andmore families and communities mourn their losses.Uncollected rubbish at Vathy Reception Centre on Samos,including leftover food and water bottles used as toilets.Gemma Bird

Samos: grim winter leads to protests by refugees living in limbo on Greek island

https://publications.aston.ac.uk/id/eprint/39427/1/Samos_grim_winter_leads_to_protests_by_refugees_living_in_limbo_on_Greek_island.pdf

Samos: grim winter leads to protests by refugees living in limbo on Greek island

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

Aston Publications Explorer