20.06.2022 PAGE 2 II. GENERAL SITUATION FOLLOW UP Unfortunately, the experiences of people on the move living in Samos are far from the warm and welcoming attitude that Greece and Europe - has given to people fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The provision of essential support and services for those living in Samos is precarious: rather than by the government, services are mostly provided by NGOs and grassroots groups. Yet, the Greek Minister for Tourism Vassilis Kikilias suggested that NGOs providing support to displaced people in the Aegean islands should instead go to Ukraine where the real needs are, while Notis Mitarachi, the Greek Minister for Migration and Asylum stated that “Europe and Greece should show practical solidarity to refugees from Ukraine, whom I rightly described as ‘real refugees’." Moreover, as the facility staff does not take care of non-functioning kitchenettes in the containers and cooking equipment is not allowed in the camp, residents are left with no options. When complaining about the issue with the competent staff, a camp resident was asked: "Why are you cooking? We give you food here. You are not supposed to cook.” These words stand in stark contrast to his statement in August 2021 when he stressed that “[w]e cannot have millions of people leaving Afghanistan and coming to the European Union … and certainly not through Greece.” FOOD The Samos CCAC does not uphold people’s right to access to the most basic services. Firstly, the testimonies reveal that, while the quality of the food distributed in the camp has slightly improved over the last months, with no recent report of mouldy or expired food, it has been stressed that the quantity has remained unchanged and unsatisfactory. LIFE IN THE CLOSED CONTROLLED ACCESS CENTRE IN SAMOS