126. In all CCACs visited, there was a lack of hygiene and cleaning products offered to foreign nationals, which was particularly acute at Kos; women were not offered hygiene pads and parents did not always receive nappies for their babies or infants. Further, hygiene and cleaning items were only meant to cover the first needs, until residents would receive financial assistance. The sanitary facilities at the centres in Kos and Samos were in a dreadful state and in need of repair. Not surprisingly, it was not possible to maintain personal hygiene and the delegation came across outbreaks of scabies and bed bugs in all CCACs. The CPT recommends that the Greek authorities ensure that all persons accommodated in the CCACs are provided with the appropriate hygiene and cleaning products, and in sufficient quantities. 127. There was a lack of non-food items in all CCACs: in addition to insufficient beds, mattresses, and blankets, there was also insufficient winter clothing and shoes, including for small children. By communication of 5 February 2024, the CPT was informed that the Greek authorities had taken action to refill the stocks that had reduced considerably in autumn 2023 due to increased arrivals. Further, a stock mapping and needs assessment for the coming year was carried out, donations from UNHCR were received, and a funding request for the provision of non-food items had been submitted to the EU’s Voluntary Solidarity Mechanism (VSM). The CPT encourages the Greek authorities to increase their efforts to ensure that every foreign national deprived of their liberty in a CCAC is provided with sufficient and suitable clothing adapted to the season. 128. As regards food, the delegation found that no special measures were being taken to ensure that certain categories of persons in a vulnerable situation such as pregnant women, unaccompanied minors or infants and babies, were provided with appropriate nutrition or baby formula. For example, at Kos CCAC, young children over 12 months of age were not provided with formula milk and unaccompanied children complained that the portions offered to them were far too small. The delegation also observed chicken portions that had not been properly cooked and received many complaints about the excess provision of pasta. The Committee recognises that, with a changing multi-national population, offering a menu that pleases all persons is a real challenge. Nevertheless, continued efforts should be made to ensure that menus are sufficiently diverse, meet health and cultural needs, contain the requisite daily requirement of proteins and vitamins, and include fresh fruit every day. Special efforts should be made to ensure that children are offered a balanced diet and that those persons requiring a special menu for health reasons are provided with such. The CPT recommends that increased efforts be made to meet the dietary requirements of the resident populations in all the CCACs visited and at the Fylakio RIC, taking due care that menus contain the requisite daily requirement of proteins and vitamins. 129. At Samos CCAC, the delegation observed the totally chaotic and undignified way in which food was distributed at distribution points each day, with hundreds of persons jostling to get their portion of food. At one lunchtime tensions flared as accusations of queue jumping were hurled and a general fight was narrowly avoided due to mediation efforts by the deputy director and the arrival of a squad of police officers in riot gear. As a result, some persons in a vulnerable situation, such as single mothers with infants, did not fight to get their daily ration (meaning that they did not receive food), especially when the weather was poor. The process of food distribution should be reviewed. The meals could be delivered to each individual accommodation section separately and distributed within the canteen areas, thus encouraging persons to eat in the communal space provided rather than in their bedrooms. In Section A, the distribution of food should be staggered and if possible a second distribution point opened. The CPT recommends that the Greek authorities take the necessary steps to ensure the distribution of meals is carried out in a dignified manner. 39

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