This is despite the programme being covered under Greece’s AMIF programme in the current (20212027) funding cycle.
The lack of financial support is compounded by acute material deprivation, as there is no systematic
provision of essential non-food items (NFIs) across the camps, such as winter clothing, adequate
footwear, or feminine hygiene products. Food provided in the facilities is frequently reported as inedible
or unsafe. Furthermore, individuals who are granted international protection are immediately cut off from
food and water provision. However, because integration programmes such as Helios+ are not fully
operational, they are effectively forced to remain in the camps to avoid homelessness, residing in a state
of complete destitution.
Furthermore, staffing shortages persist in medical and psychosocial services on the mainland, with the
ratio standing at one doctor per 242 residents at the end of June 2025. Despite a relative improvement
compared to 2024, this highlights ongoing deficiencies, with specific mainland camps, such as Filippiada,
Veria, Kyllini, and Pyrgos, having no doctor at all. 1006 The Greek Ombudsperson, in his 2024 Report,1007
reiterated concerns about the remote location of most mainland facilities, which hinders access to goods,
services, and fosters a strong sense of isolation from local communities.
This isolation was further compounded by persisting challenges in transportation and interpretation
services in 2025, directly impacting applicants’ ability to access healthcare. The April 2025 follow-up report
"People continue to suffer in Greece's mainland refugee camps", published by Mobile Info Team and
Refugee Legal Support,1008 found a worsening situation compared to the previous year and lack of suitable
reception conditions for vulnerable groups, such as persons with disabilities. The report highlights that the
MoMA still does not organise regular transportation from the camps to urban centers. Consequently,
residents remain unable to reach essential services, including critical hospital appointments or necessary
interviews at the Asylum Service, as they must find their own way despite having limited or no financial
means. Furthermore, the absence of interpretation continues to be a severe issue; for instance, the
Hippocrates programme lacks its own interpreters, forcing reliance on camp interpreters who are often
absent or overstretched. The suspension of interpretation services nationwide by METAdrasi in July 2025,
due to unpaid state debts, further exacerbated these communication issues, leaving many asylum seekers
entirely unable to navigate bureaucratic processes, access vital information, or adequately communicate
medical needs.
Following peaceful sit-in protests by camp residents in Kavala and Koutsochero in November 2024,
protests on account of unsuitable conditions were held by residents of Malakasa and Oinofyta in January
2025 and February 2026 respectively.1009 Residents have inter alia complained of unusable facilities,
including broken toilets, lack of hot water, and cockroach infestations that they are left to manage on their
own, with parents flaging that unhygienic conditions poses a serious and immediate risk to the health of
their children.
Conditions prevailing in Malakasa RIC have also remained an issue of concern, with residents reportedly
living in containers mired with serious and dangerous damage, water leaks, insects and rodents, without
mattresses, blankets or cleaning and hygiene kits. Of particular concern is the prolonged de facto
detention of unaccompanied children in highly unsuitable and overcrowded conditions in so-called “safe
areas” in the RIC. In April 2025, the Athens Administrative Court of First Instance ruled that the prolonged
detention of two minors in the Malakasa Camp constituted an unlawful and arbitrary detention.1010
1006
1007
1008
1009
1010
RSA, Reception & refugee camps in Greece in the first half of 2025, 11 September 2025, available at:
https://tinyurl.com/yp6ar5fu.
Greek Ombudsperson, "The Challenge of Migratory Flows and Refugee Protection - Reception Conditions
and Procedures", 26 April 2024, available at: https://tinyurl.com/3s9yfxue.
MIT & RLS, Follow Up Report: People continue to suffer in Greece's mainland refugee camps, 3 April 2025,
available at: https://tinyurl.com/5f9rmcyx.
Ibid., p.9 and News24/7, “We Need Help”: Refugees Denounce Appaling Conditions In The Oinofyt Facility”,
21 February 2026, available in Greek at: https://tinyurl.com/4mz4xvww.
GCR, COMMUNICATION of the GREEK COUNCIL FOR REFUGEES to the COMMITTEE OF MINISTERS
of the COUNCIL OF EUROPE (Rule 9.2.) with regard to the execution of M.S.S. (Application No. 30696/09)
210