B. Infrastructure Facilities - Living conditions other accommodation facilities.134 There are however cases where negative developments have been observed, with a rapid deterioration of the living conditions, especially when they were at a marginal level, as happened during the winter of 2016-2017 due to the harsh weather conditions.135 In many accommodation facilities, at the end of 2016, tents were mostly being used,136 several of which were intended only for temporary camping, whereas in other facilities the population was distributed in prefabricated containers, military type group tents or ordinary tents.137 It is selfevident that the crowding of large numbers in tents for long periods creates insurmountable problems in their daily life, since it is impossible to meet even their basic needs, while there are risks for their health and safety. Especially during bad weather conditions, the inappropriate shelters, in combination with the lack of heating, render the stay in these sites impossible. It is indicative that in January 2017, in the framework of a delayed, and finally failed attempt by the State to address the cold, even a Hellenic Navy ship was used at the port of Mytilini as a shelter for people from Moria. In camps where there are prefabricated containers or specially configured containers, their suitability is not always ensured, while any damages are not repaired (e.g. camps of the Ministry of Rural Development in Lavrio and Accommodation Facility in Lavrio). Frequently not even the essentials are available, such as drinking water, hot water, heating, adequate electricity, bed covers (e.g. Chios (VIAL), Polykastro in Kilkis). The inadequacy of many facilities in basic infrastructures is a direct risk for the health of the residents. Where common restroom and personal hygiene spaces are used, they are usually not enough of them, they are not maintained correctly and they are not diligently cleaned (e.g. Chios (VIAL), Lagkadikia). In many facilities there are either inadequate or not at all food preparation spaces, resulting in the people cooking outside their tents in makeshift kitchens. In such a case, on 24.11.2016, two people died and two more were injured 134 e.g. Herso in Kilkis, Petra in Olympos, Katsikas in Ioannina. 135 Souda in Chios, Moria in Lesvos, Malakasa, etc. from the explosion of a gas bottle. Also, there are frequently no infrastructures for the operation of dining, religious worship, gathering - entertainment and children occupation spaces (e.g. Lagkadikia, Kalohori in Thessaloniki). A special category are the old industrial or other purpose buildings, where rooms have been arranged (Oinofyta in Viotia, Elefsina - Merchant Maritime Academy, Veria - Military Camp “Armatolou Kokkinou”, Sindos, Kalohori in Thessaloniki) or tents have been installed (Kordelio in Thessaloniki - Softex). The use of the former factories poses serious dangers to the health of the residents, because they are crowded in closed spaces, without sufficient ventilation, drinking water or cleanliness. In some of these sites in fact there are strong indications of the existence of hazardous industrial residues, while the proximity to large mosquito reproduction sites renders these areas unsuitable for accommodation from a health aspect (Rice fields in Thessaloniki, the estuary bed of Gallikos River, Kalohori lagoon). The Hellenic Center for Disease Control & Prevention issued an opinion on 21.7.2016, asking for the immediate closing of such unsuitable sites for public health reasons. Finally, the spatial planning of these facilities is frequently problematic. The operation of accommodation sites in remote areas without adequate public transportation coverage (e.g. Elefsina, Skaramangas, camps of the Ministry of Rural Development in Lavrio, Sindos) or close to high-speed motorways (e.g. Malakasa, Oinofyta), creates practical difficulties as well as safety issues for the residents. In most sites there are issues related to the security and guarding of the facilities (see also Chapter C3). The lack of any vigilance by the Greek State for addressing these mass mixed flows, despite the obvious signs already in late 2014 on their rapid increase, led to a great extent to a failure in ensuring essential reception and accommodation conditions for the people coming into the country. The Greek Ombudsman had asked in December 2014 the Greek Administration to design and promptly implement an operational action plan for the provision of critical means for the survival of the Syrian citizens who were fleeing to Greece.138 1.2. Background and interventions of the Greek Ombudsman 136 Samos, Koutsohero in Larissa, Aspri Ammos - Halkero in Kavala, Malakasa, Ritsona in Viotia. 137 Souda in Chios, Moria in Lesvos. 42 138 http://www.synigoros.gr/?i=human-rights.el.files.247022