More specifically, in all CCAC, shortcomings in access to sanitary facilities and items, provision of hot water, as well as in the maintenance of the containers used for accommodation have been observed. Issues with food quality and quantity persist. Moreover, the medical divisions of all CCAC face significant shortages in medicines and supplies and are deprived of on-site doctors, which results in shortcomings in the identification of vulnerabilities. Interpretation services are also limited and insufficient to cover the actual needs.227 Moreover, in the CCAC of Leros, long lasting issues with provision of water (running, hot and potable), malfunctions in the sewage system, challenges related to cleanliness and access to sanitation facilities, poor quality of food and shortages of basic supplies such as hygiene items and clothing are observed. 228 The living condition in the CCAC of Samos are alarming. The condition of the containers, where even the vulnerable applicants reside, are completely deplorable and in need of maintenance, disinfection and cleaning. Many beds have no mattress and residents have very limited access to basic hygiene items. The supply of running and drinking water also remains unstable. 229 In Kos, the residents of the CCAC have very limited access to basic supplies and good quality food, while the accommodation areas are in very poor condition, partially damaged and in need of maintenance. Living conditions in the CCAC further deteriorate in times of mass arrivals due to lack of adequate spaces to accommodate people, newly-arrived individuals are placed in common spaces (i.e., restaurants, classrooms), without beds, mattresses, blankets, etc. Part of the PRDC in Kos is also used as accommodation area. Issues related to restricted freedom of movement even between the different sections of the CCAC persist. As a result, the access of the residents to sections where the offices of the administration are based is hindered.230 Regarding the conditions prevailing in the CCAC, the CPT has observed: ‘The living conditions at the CCACs visited were poor at the time of the visit, notably due to overcrowding, and the conditions of detention for large numbers of persons met at Kos CCAC could only be described as inhuman and degrading. For instance, in some accommodation areas, up to eight persons were accommodated in 10 m2 rooms and many persons had to sleep on the floor without even a mattress. The former RIC area had been temporarily re-opened even though it was unfit for human habitation and most containers had no functioning sanitary facilities and no electricity. Further, there was a lack of hygiene and cleaning products, as well as non-food items (including beds mattresses, and blankets, as well as winter clothing and shoes) offered to foreign nationals. The totally chaotic and undignified way in which food was distributed at Samos CCAC, with hundreds of persons jostling to get their portion of food, should also be reviewed. The Greek authorities should ensure that all persons who are detained in a CCAC or RIC are offered decent living conditions.’231 227 228 229 230 231 RSA, What is happening today in the refugee structures on the Aegean islands, available at https://tinyurl.com/bdpc6byj; RSA, Refugee facilities on the Aegean islands, Kos, 10 December 2024, available here; RSA, Refugee facilities on the Aegean islands, Leros, 10 December 2024, available here; RSA, Refugee facilities on the Aegean islands, Samos, 10 December 2024, available here; information also based on GCR’s observations from the field. RSA, Refugee facilities on the Aegean islands, Leros, 10 December 2024, available here. RSA, Refugee facilities on the Aegean islands, Samos, 10 December 2024, available here, also based on GCR’s observations from the field. GCR, Absolutely inadequate conditions in the new Closed Controlled Access Center (CCAC) of Kos: The European Court of Human Rights has granted Interim Measures, 14 December 2023, available at: https://tinyurl.com/mr36kzwr and Civil Society Joint Statement, Not again in 2024: Call for upholding human rights in the Samos Closed Controlled Access Centre, 31 January 2024, available at: https://bit.ly/3vKHJje, RSA, “Refugee facilities on the Aegean islands”, Kos, 10 December 2024, available here, GCR’s observations from the field. CPT, Executive Summary of the CPT Report to the Greek Government on the visit to Greece carried out by the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) from 20 November to 1 December 2023, available here; and CPT, Council of Europe anti-torture Committee (CPT) again calls on Greece to reform its immigration detention system and stop pushbacks, 12 July 2024 available here. 62