May 2019 | Reception crisis in Northern Greece: three years of emergency solutions 2.5.2. NEA KAVALA Nea Kavala camp was built in the former “Asimakopoulou” air force camp. It opened its gates on 28 February 2016 and together with Cherso were the two mass tent camps established to host the thousands of refugees evacuated from Idomeni.lix Nea Kavala camp is characteristically hosting many different nationalities. The camp is located at the rims of Nea Kavala village next to a small countryside road and is 56 km away from Thessaloniki. The nearest town is Polykastro and it takes a refugee living in the camp between 30 and 40 minutes to reach it on foot. A return bus ticket from Polykastro to Thessaloniki costs 12 Euros. The Greek Army and RIS are responsible for site management. Police is guarding the entrance. DRClx took over site management support from ASB in 2018. DRC also provides legal info-sessions, individual legal counselling and representationlxi lxii and is involved in nonformal education for school age children, youth and adults. According to UNHCR, more than 60% of the children were attending formal education by mid-August 2018.lxiii An ARSIS programme supporting vulnerable refugees (children and GBV) ended by the mid of August 2018lxiv. As of September 2018, referrals of people with special needs were handled in cooperation by DRC, EODY, the Greece Army and DIOTIMA (the latter subsequently ended the program too).lxv One army was doctor providing medical care since August 2018. Two volunteer organisations (“Drop in the Ocean”lxvi and “We are here”lxvii) provide small-scale aid. At the end of August 2018, the population consisted of new arrivals from the Aegean hotspots and the land borders as well as people who had been living in the camp for nearly two years. Many of those interviewed by RSA belonged to vulnerable groups. In September 2018, a significant part of the population was minors (37 %).lxviii Originally, 560 tents were set up to host 2.500 persons but at the end of March 2017, the number of residents reached 3.520.lxix Tents got replaced by prefabs in November 2016.lxx Ever since, the camp is consisted of prefabs surrounded by agricultural fields. Each prefab has one room without a kitchen or bathroom. Toilettes and showers are shared and placed between the four sections of the camp. Each section has between 35 and 70 prefabs. https://rsaegean.org/en/reception-crisis-in-northern-greece-three-years-of-emergency-solutions 13