Inadequate reception conditions on Lesbos

PHOTO FEATURE: Lesbos, Greece, 16 September 2015 – Maurice Joyeux SJ reports from the Greek island of Lesbos which has seen thousands of forced migrants arrive daily. Here we present a series of photo taken during his visit to the town of Mytilene.

Thousands of Syrians, Afghans and Iraqi’s are making the short but perilous voyage from Turkey to many of Greece’s Aegean islands, traditionally known for their tourism rather than as ‘refugee hotspots’. They pay smugglers high fees to enter overcrowded rubber dinghies at night in often deadly attempts to reach European Union soil. The latest loss of life came on 14 September when at least 34 people, including 15 babies and children, drowned off the coast of Farmakonisi.

Joyeux reports on inadequate reception facilities on Lesbos with many migrants sleeping out in the open with no shelter, food or water provided. The migrants must pay 60 Euros each to travel by ferry to the Greek city of Pireas. From there buses and other transport, much of it unofficial and highly priced, take the migrants to Macedonia as soon as possible.

Most of the refugees believe that there is little future for them in Greece and therefore join thousands of others in their attempts to reach northwestern Europe through the Balkans.

JRS is currently setting up operations in Athens, providing accommodation and support to homeless forced migrants there.

Joyeux reports on inadequate reception facilities on Lesbos with many migrants sleeping out in the open with no shelter, food or water provided.