(B) Access to services (i) Interpretation 59% of respondents shared that shortages in interpretation services impacted their ability to communicate in the camp On 14th May 2024, the main provider of interpretation services to both the Asylum Service and the RIS, Metadrasi, announced the suspension of its services, citing nine months of delay in payment by the MoMA¹²⁷. Due to delays in renewing contracts with Metadrasi, workers from the European Union Asylum Agency (EUAA) have been deployed to cover interpretation gaps in camps for the month of July¹²⁸, however to date there is no indication of how interpretation needs will be provided for in future. Although some interviews are currently conducted remotely in camps¹²⁹, other applicants are expected to travel long distances from remote camps to asylum offices despite the high likelihood that interviews will be cancelled due to lack of interpreters. Interviews conducted for this report indicate that there was a gap in interpretation provision following the withdrawal of Metadrasi, with respondents reporting periods of time when there were no interpretation services available in specific facilities (this was specifically mentioned by interviewees in the camps of Corinth, Koutsochero, Oinofyta, Malakasa, Serres, Lagkadikia, Kavala and Katsikas). This led to people in camps relying on fellow residents who speak English in order to communicate with the authorities, raising concerns about confidentiality and safety in communication between residents and camp administration. Additionally, for people interviewed before the withdrawal of Metadrasi, several reported that there were no translators for specific languages in camps (e.g. no Somali interpreters in Ritsona). In addition to the severe impact on access to medical services outlined below (see from page 31), lack of translators significantly impacted camp residents’ ability to communicate their needs to the authorities and further isolated them from support. “[The camp administration] told us that we don't have translators for the past month because their contracts have finished. It has a lot of impact [...] For us it is disappointing and it is making our psychology very tired that we don't get support.” 32 year old man, Koutsochero camp “Before there were interpreters [in the camp], but now unfortunately there’s none anymore. The contracts of everyone have finished. Sometimes my friends in the camp call me to translate for them because I speak English, but sometimes I don’t have time so they have to use their phones.” 36 year old man from Palestine, Corinth camp 29